Chair Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Vance (R-OH), members of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee are expected to announce an Amendment in the Nature of Substitute (ANS) that will make significant improvements to the Railway Safety Act. President and CEO of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), Eric R. Byer released the following statement in support of the expected ANS:

“For decades, our nation’s freight rail system has been inadequate and unreliable, delaying deliveries of essential chemical products and placing burdensome costs on businesses of all sizes. NACD has long sounded the alarm on the clear and consistent warning signs that have led to a significant deterioration in service and mounting labor challenges.

“The ANS improves the important safety enhancement provisions of Railway Safety Act, and is a step in the right direction, bringing commonsense, measured, and bipartisan safety reforms to the freight rail industry. This includes addressing the industry’s operational challenges, training and inspection requirements, train length, and infrastructure improvements. NACD supports the committee’s bipartisan efforts and thanks Chair Cantwell, Senators Vance and Brown (D-OH), as well as committee staff, for their leadership. We look forward to working with members of Congress to make sure this legislation is sent to the President’s desk for signature.”

To learn more, visit www.nacd.com.