[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4629-S4630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Railway Labor Management Dispute

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, as of 12:01 tomorrow morning, our 
Nation's transportation system was set to come to a screeching halt. It 
now sounds like

[[Page S4630]]

we have a bit of a reprieve, but we still have a threat.
  Since 2019, railroads and unions have been negotiating a new 
contract. Two months ago, President Biden appropriately appointed 
members of what is called the Presidential Emergency Board. This Board 
recommended the largest pay increase in industry history at 24 percent, 
in addition to an annual bonus and healthcare changes.
  President Biden promised to be the ``most pro-union president'' in 
history, but even President Biden's recommendations weren't enough for 
these unions. A few unions continued to hold out and, in fact, took us 
to the verge of a nationwide strike.
  A railroad strike would really plunge us back into the supply chain 
issues that have just now started to somewhat improve. These trains 
that would be stopped actually carry the food we eat, the gas for our 
tanks, and the energy that heats our homes.
  Already, I am hearing from grain elevator operators in my State that 
they are having trouble transporting their grain. Hazardous cargo, like 
the chlorine cities need to purify drinking water, stopped moving 
earlier this week. Amtrak has canceled long-distance routes. Maybe they 
are going to be up and running now, but at least they were getting 
ready to stop.
  But what I just described is the tip of the iceberg unless these 
unions agree to a long-term deal. The last thing we need is for grain 
shipments to grind to a halt right as farmers are going to the fields 
to harvest their grain. Iowa corn and soybeans can't feed the world if 
they are stuck on the farm or in the local elevator.
  That is why I cosponsored Senator Burr's joint resolution to prevent 
all of this. The resolution would mandate that both sides adopt the 
recommendations of President Biden's emergency Board. Then, of course, 
if we pass that, the trains would keep running.
  We are just learning about a tentative deal that would let unions 
back away from the cliff. If they don't, then Congress must step in and 
pass the joint resolution to keep our economy going. The alternative is 
unacceptable.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
permitted to complete my remarks before the rollcall.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.