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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) today voted to pass H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act which included her three rail safety provisions to establish strong training standards for inspectors, authorize a public education safety program, and address concerns over safety inspections performed in Mexico on trains entering the United States.
“We passed a bill today that will make communities located near railroad lines much safer,” said Napolitano. “From October 2004 to May 2005 there were five derailments in or near my district that damaged homes and businesses, threatened public safety, and caused fear and anxiety along the Alameda Corridor East, especially with its projected railroad traffic increase. This bill addressed deficiencies by improving track safety, grade crossing safety, and whistleblower protections, addressing concerns over railroad fatigue, and ensuring enforcement.”
Napolitano, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials as well as the Subcommittees on Highways and Transit and Water Resources and Environment, already had two of her safety provisions included in the bill when it arrived on the House floor today. The first included provision established the criteria for strong training standards for track and railroad equipment inspectors. The second included amendment authorized a total of $6 million for Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit public education program to end collisions, deaths, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way
Napolitano’s third provision, which was not originally included and was introduced as an amendment on the House floor today, ensured that the 10,000 trains entering the U.S. from Mexico each year are properly inspected by prohibiting inspections in Mexico unless the Secretary of Transportation certifies that the Mexican inspections meet a number of U.S. criteria. Napolitano’s amendment was agreed to unanimously on a voice vote.
A fourth Napolitano amendment was not made in order for debate on the House floor by the Rules Committee. It would have provided states with greater authority to establish local railroad safety regulations.
“We will continue to strive for more local control, keeping in mind the safety of those we represent,” said Napolitano.
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