[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              RAIL SAFETY

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, on the railroads, this morning, Norfolk 
Southern's CEO, Alan Shaw, will testify before the Environment and 
Public Works Committee, where he will be held to account for his 
company's pattern of negligence when it comes to safety regulations.
  My questions to Mr. Shaw remain the same: Why did Norfolk Southern 
spend years lobbying for looser regulations to prevent accidents like 
this, particularly when Donald Trump was President? Despite seeing a 
record $3.3 billion in profits last year, why did Norfolk Southern 
prioritize billions in stock buybacks instead of investing in safety 
equipment or in their workers? What is Norfolk Southern doing to 
prevent future accidents like the one in East Palestine? And God forbid 
another one happens, how will Norfolk Southern ensure communities get 
the resources they need to respond to them?
  I expect Mr. Shaw to answer these questions. The American people 
expect Mr. Shaw to answer these questions. And we expect a candid, 
frank, and honest discussion about the dangers of rail companies like 
Norfolk Southern maximizing profits at the expense of everything else, 
even people's safety.

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