Ohio's Vance, Brown intensify pre-election rail safety push
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Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) at a Capitol Hill hearing last year. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Trump VP hopeful J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and vulnerable Democrat Sherrod Brown also of Ohio are teaming up to pressure Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and skeptical Republicans to pass a rail safety measure.
Why it matters: A damning new federal report on last year's disastrous train derailment in their home state of Ohio is lending fresh urgency to the meaty, bipartisan legislation — even in the heat of an election year,
Between the lines: The bill would directly impact Ohio and Pennsylvania — key 2024 battleground states — and has made odd bedfellows of two senators facing potential career-changing political moments:
- Brown, one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators this cycle, has been pressuring Schumer (D-N.Y.) to find a way to get the bill to the floor, convinced they have the votes.
- Vance, on the short list to be Trump's running mate, plans to use the new report to persuade Republican colleagues and shore up the at least 10 GOP backers needed for passage.
The intrigue: The bill's passage could boost Brown's re-election campaign against Republican Bernie Moreno.
- It also would lend a hand to Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who has been involved in the push for the legislation and is up for re-election against Republican Dave McCormick.
- Whether Senate Republicans would be willing to follow through and hand two Democrats in competitive races a pre-election victory is still an open question.
Zoom in: The National Transportation Safety Board said this week that an overheating wheel bearing caused the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine.
- The bill would enhance safety measures for trains carrying hazardous materials and establish requirements for the type of defect detectors that the NTSB said could've prevented the East Palestine disaster.
- "The findings shared by NTSB Chair Homendy today confirm many of my worst fears," Vance said in a statement, adding the report underscores the need for his Railway Safety Act.
Yes, but: A lack of Republican support for the bill has been a major roadblock. Senators such as Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Thune (R-S.D.) were notable critics last year.
- Brown's camp is confident they have the votes, but there is concern about Republican opponents offering amendments to alter it.
- Questions about amendments and procedure would have to be worked out before the bill actually gets to the floor.
Zoom out: Trump, who is seeking a repeat of his strong election performance in Ohio four years ago, visited East Palestine less than three weeks after the derailment, criticizing the Biden administration's response and the president for not having visited yet.
- Biden's team pointed out Trump himself repealed multiple Obama-era Department of Transportation rail safety rules.
What we're hearing: Senate Democratic leadership sees a path to actually passing the legislation and does not want to put the bill on the floor as a show vote, a source familiar with the talks said.
- But timing will be tricky with Trump's upcoming sentencing and the Republican convention next month — and limited session days before Election Day on Nov. 5.
Catch up quick: The East Palestine derailment forced thousands to evacuate and posed long-term health and environment threats after Norfolk Southern released and burned the toxic vinyl chloride.
- Norfolk Southern reached a $310 million settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency last month.
