[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 1, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    LAREDO INTERNATIONAL RAIL BRIDGE

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                          HON. SHARICE DAVIDS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 1, 2020

  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight an 
issue on our southern border, at the Laredo International Rail Bridge, 
linking the United States to Mexico. This particular bridge is owned by 
the Kansas City Southern railroad. They are a crucial fixture of the 
greater Kansas City area economy, employing more than 7,000 people and 
operating thousands of miles of rail network between the United States 
and Mexico.
  Trains that cross the Laredo International Rail Bridge in either 
direction are required to stop in the middle of the bridge and switch 
out the crews and perform various inspections before continuing. This 
often exacerbates the congestion at the busiest rail crossing on the 
southern border and leaves the sometimes miles-long trains blocking 
streets and highways on both sides of the border. Moreover, it limits 
the number of trains that can make this crossing daily. Many of those 
trains are carrying agricultural goods, some being shipped from Kansas.
  I understand the difficult situation at this border and the 
importance of finding a solution. The current status of operations at 
the Laredo International Rail Bridge is inefficient, time-consuming, 
and a safety hazard. I am also concerned about alternate solutions that 
do not take our rail workers' labor rights into account. I am committed 
to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a 
solution that will protect workers' rights and maintain safety, while 
also maximizing time and space so that our railroads can continue to be 
successful. Safety and efficiency are the watchwords in solving this 
problem and we need a reasonable and equitable solution.

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