[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8071-S8072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID:
  S.J. Res. 30. A joint resolution extending the cooling-off period 
under section 10 of the Railway Labor Act with respect to the dispute 
referred to in Executive Order No. 13586 of October 6, 2011; read the 
first time.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the 
joint resolution be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the joint resolution was 
ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 30

       Whereas the labor dispute between numerous rail carriers 
     that are common carriers by rail in interstate commerce, and 
     certain of their employees represented by labor 
     organizations, threatens to interrupt essential freight rail 
     services of the United States;
       Whereas it is essential to the national interest that 
     essential freight rail services be maintained;
       Whereas Congress finds that emergency measures are 
     essential to maintaining the security and continuity of 
     freight rail services;
       Whereas the President, by Executive Order 13586 of October 
     6, 2011, and pursuant to the provisions of section 10 of the 
     Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 160), created Presidential 
     Emergency Board 243 to investigate the dispute and report 
     findings;
       Whereas the recommendations of the Emergency Board 243 
     issued on November 5, 2011, have been exhausted and have not 
     resulted in settlement of the dispute;
       Whereas Congress, under the Commerce Clause of the 
     Constitution, has the authority and responsibility to ensure 
     the uninterrupted operation of essential freight rail 
     services; and
       Whereas Congress has in the past enacted legislation for 
     such purposes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF COOLING-OFF PERIOD.

       With respect to the dispute referred to in Executive Order 
     No. 13586 of October 6, 2011, the time period described in 
     the third paragraph of section 10 of the Railway Labor Act

[[Page S8072]]

     (45 U.S.C. 160) shall be extended until 12:01 a.m. on 
     February 8, 2012, so that no change, except by agreement, 
     shall be made by the rail carriers represented by the 
     National Carriers' Conference Committee or by the employees 
     of such carriers represented by labor organizations that are 
     a party to such dispute, in the conditions out of which the 
     dispute arose as such conditions existed prior to 12:01 a.m. 
     on December 6, 2011.
                                 ______