WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator JD Vance (R-OH) issued the following statement regarding the National Transportation Safety Board’s findings on the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio:
“The findings shared by NTSB Chair Homendy today confirm many of my worst fears,” said Senator Vance. “The derailment and subsequent chemical explosion were preventable tragedies resulting from a series of errors made by Norfolk Southern and its contractors. The NTSB findings also call the Biden Department of Justice’s premature settlement into serious question. Had they waited for these findings to be revealed, they could have secured more for the people of East Palestine. Finally, these findings underscore the need for Congress to pass the Railway Safety Act, which would go a long way to improve our rail safety standards and prevent future disasters like what happened in East Palestine. I won’t stop fighting for those residents until they get the accountability they deserve.”
For Background:
In March, under questioning from Senator Vance NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the chemical explosion in East Palestine, Ohio was not necessary.
In May, Senator Vance and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a joint statement to express their concern that the U.S. Department of Justice’s announced settlement with Norfolk Southern could undercompensate the residents of East Palestine.
In May of 2023, Senator Vance’s bipartisan Railway Safety Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee. The legislation, which would take significant steps to improve railway safety across the United States, awaits a vote before the full Senate.
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