The White House complains that railroad companies can be fined no more than $225,000 for safety violations involving hazardous materials
The White House is urging congressional Republicans to increase fines imposed on railroad companies for safety violations as a Feb. 3 flaming train derailment in Ohio has become a political lightning rod.
There are still safety and health concerns among residents of eastern Palestine after dozens of wagons being pulled by Norfolk Southern went off the tracks, releasing chemicals into the area. The incident has now escalated into a feud between Democrats and Republicans.
“The test will be whether Republicans will work with the Biden-Harris administration to restore safety protections and pass legislation increasing fines on railroad companies for causing accidents like this,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew said Bates. “Are they with us and communities like East Palestine or are they still owned by the rail lobby?”
Under current law, the White House says the maximum fine companies can face for violations related to the transportation of hazardous materials is $225,455. That’s less than 1% of Norfolk Southern’s $3.27 billion in profit last year.
Former President Donald Trump, who is seeking the 2024 GOP nomination, went to the village on Wednesday and said the community was met with “indifference and betrayal.” Republican lawmakers have criticized President Joe Biden for not visiting the site; Biden was in Ukraine and Poland this week.
But his government is pushing back. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured eastern Palestine on Thursday and said Trump should call for the reversal of deregulation that took place during his tenure in the White House.
Trump famously posed in 2017 with a mountain of white paper wrapped in red tape, which he then cut with scissors. He has argued that reducing regulatory burdens would lead to stronger economic growth.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly defended the administration’s response during Thursday’s briefing, saying “this is what leadership looks like” rather than the “political stunts we’re seeing from the other side.”
She slammed Republicans for “suddenly” becoming interested in security issues after breaking regulations.
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