The Movement: Vance-championed rail safety bill fractures GOP

A railway safety bill that was championed by Vice President Vance is highlighting populist versus free-market tensions, offering a test for Republican lawmakers who are set to mark up a major transportation bill this week as ideological factions fight for the future of the party.

At issue is whether the Railway Safety Act, or provisions from it, gets put in the sprawling surface transportation reauthorization bill being considered in the House.

Vance had been a lead sponsor of the bipartisan bill that was crafted in the aftermath of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio derailment that led to release of hazardous chemicals. The White House had pushed behind the scenes for its inclusion in the reauthorization bill — and is explicitly doing so, per a statement sent Monday.

“In the immediate aftermath of the tragic 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, President Trump visited the local community and strongly endorsed the Railway Safety Act to ensure such a tragedy never happens again,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said. “Passing the Railway Safety Act in its entirety has been a top priority of the President since then, and the White House is working closely with Congress to swiftly pass this crucial legislation as part of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill.”

The rail safety bill would require at least two people to operate a train, increase the frequency of sensors to detect problems, and increase inspection requirements. It has support from union groups and some of the more populist members of the right — such as those aligned with Vance.

But industry groups and traditional free-market allies balked at the requirements in the legislation, arguing that there is little evidence new requirements would improve safety outcomes, and pointing out that the bulk of the bill had nothing to do with the defective wheel bearing issue that led to the derailment. The new regulations, they argue, would increase operating expenses, translating to higher prices for consumers.

Americans for Tax Reform last week launched a $1 million ad campaign against including the Railway Safety Act in the reauthorization bill, as Punchbowl first reported.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee over the weekend released the text of a bipartisan five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill — dubbed the BUILD America 250 Act. While it includes some rail safety provisions, it did not include the most controversial provisions from the Railway Safety Act. 

But there is a high likelihood that a markup of the bill, which is expected Thursday, will see votes on amendments to incorporate the Railway Safety Act or provisions from it.

Republican lawmakers on the panel will be forced to choose between the Vance-backed safety measures endorsed by unions and the White House — or the free-marketers and industry groups arguing against it.

“Members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee should reject controversial amendments – such as the Railway Safety Act or items within like a minimum crew size standard – that lack safety justification........

© The Hill