Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Marine Debris Legislation and Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment

253 Russell
Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:00:00 GMT

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee Executive Session on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET to consider legislation and a presidential nomination. The Committee will hold a full committee hearing titled “Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment” directly following the Executive Session.

Executive Session

Agenda:

  • S. 66, NOTAM Improvement Act of 2023
  • S. 90, Informing Consumers About Smart Devices Act
  • S. 127, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2023
  • S. 318, Save our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, to improve the administration of the Marine Debris Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • S. 467, CADETS Act
  • Nomination of Mr. Phillip A. Washington to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (PN9)

Executive Session Details:

Full Committee Executive Session Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:00 a.m. ET Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

Hearing: Improving Rail Safety in Response to the East Palestine Derailment

The Committee will hear testimony regarding Norfolk Southern’s safety record and how the February 3, 2023, derailment and the controlled burn of vinyl chloride impacted the East Palestine, Ohio, community. Witnesses will also discuss suggestions for how to improve the safety of the nation’s rail network, hazardous materials transportation safety and emergency response, including the provisions of S. 576, the Railway Safety Act of 2023.

Introduction Panel:

  • U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
  • U.S. Senator J.D. Vance
  • Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
  • Misti Allison, Resident of East Palestine
Witnesses:
  • Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board
  • David Comstock, Chief, Ohio Western Reserve Joint Fire District
  • Clyde Whitaker, Legislative Director, Ohio State SMART-TD
  • Alan Shaw, CEO, Norfolk Southern
  • Ian Jefferies, CEO, Association of American Railroads