Blumenthal Statement on FRA Plan to Prevent Future Rail-Caused Accidents

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on new steps announced today by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to prevent future rail-caused accidents:

“This is ‎more evidence of the need for a strong, aggressive oversight agency to ensure railroads are moving forward to advance safety and ensure accidents are avoided. I have long called for stepped up inspection practices, and I demand FRA ensure railroads take real, measurable action in response to these findings – not just offer hollow promises to do better. I have also called for tougher fines, yet $25,000 is a pittance for a preventable, catastrophic accident that sparked a massive fireball and forced residents for miles to flee their homes. Clearly, we must do more.”

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