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202-789-4365 ckolton@hdmk.orgSENATE COMMERCE HEARING SHOWS MOMENTUM FOR FRIEGHT RAIL REFORM
WASHINGTON – Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE) today praised the news that the Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing next Wednesday to examine the federal role in railroad policy. The hearing, which will be held next Wednesday, September 15th, comes at an important time as momentum continues to build for Congress to enact bipartisan rail reform legislation this year.
“This hearing shows the Senate is serious about passing legislation this year to address the problems posed by a lack of competition in the freight rail industry,” said Glenn English, Chairman of CURE. “American consumers, companies and farmers cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Last December, the Senate Commerce Committee approved S. 2889, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that would strengthen oversight of the freight railroad industry. Since then, momentum has been building for Congress to enact this important bill.
In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report that found a lack of competition in the freight rail industry was hurting rural America, and that there was “considerable evidence” that the railroads used excessive fuel surcharges to artificially boost profits.
Last month, the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (MASDA) called on President Obama and Congress to enact S. 2889 this year.
“This week, President Obama called for $50 billion dollars in spending for transportation infrastructure, much of which would benefit the railroad industry. But before Congress even considers more funding for the freight railroad monopoly, they need to pass meaningful rail reform legislation that would protect consumers from the railroads’ monopoly pricing power,” said English.
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