Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today issued the following statement after the House failed to pass H.R. 6707, the Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety (TRACS) Act, which would amend laws governing how the Surface Transportation Board (STB) reviews railway mergers like the one between Canadian National (CN) and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) line:
“I’m disappointed but not discouraged. The rail lobby may have convinced enough members to block the bill under expedited rules, but the majority of my colleagues in the House voted for it and we’ll keep fighting.
“If anything, today’s vote shows just how much support there is to fix the laws governing rail mergers. Residents of suburban communities shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of rail companies without serious consideration being given to their safety and quality of life. The public interest should matter, and this bill makes it so.
“My Illinois colleagues and I will continue to educate other members about why this legislation is so important and how it could affect the communities in their districts. At the same time, we need to redouble efforts to protect local communities and keep the pressure on the STB to address our concerns. That’s why, on Monday, I’ll be submitting additional comments to the STB outlining the objections I have to their draft environmental impact statement. I would encourage any other concerned parties to do the same, as the public comment period closes on Tuesday.”
Editor’s note: Biggert is an original cosponsor of H.R. 6707, which was introduced on July 31, 2008 by the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, James Oberstar (D-MN-8). The bill requires the STB to weigh the public costs a merger would have against the transportation benefits. For a merger to proceed, the adverse impacts on communities could not outweigh the transportation benefits. The STB also would have the authority to set stricter mitigation conditions on a merger. The bill failed to receive the 2/3 vote needed to pass the House under an expedited procedure known as suspension of the rules. It failed by a vote of 243 in favor to 175 against. The bill now returns to the Committee, which may send it back to the floor under regular rules requiring only a simple majority to pass. For more information on the merger or to contact the STB, visit http://www.stbfinancedocket35087.com.
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