I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Railway Safety Act, a commonsense bill that will hold railroads accountable and make our communities safer. I urge the full Senate to work with us to get this bill passed.
Support and work to pass the Railway Safety Act of 2026 to enhance rail safety by improving hazardous materials oversight, strengthening emergency response support, raising overall rail safety standards, mandating defect detection technology and hotbox detectors, expanding hazardous materials subject to higher standards, improving emergency notification and plans, requiring proper railcar maintenance and inspection, increasing civil penalties for safety violations, requiring two-person train crews, and ensuring compensation and equipment for firefighters and first responders.
Occurrences
The Railway Safety Act of 2026 mandates the use of defect detection technology which could have prevented the East Palestine derailment as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), making them more frequent near dense urban areas.
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joins Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in introducing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026.
U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) reintroduced the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026.
He announced his intent to reintroduce the Railway Safety Act, bipartisan legislation he co-led with then-Senators Vance and Brown last congress.
For these reasons, we request that you deny the Association of American Railroads’ request to waive track safety requirements and rather finalize the Biden Administration’s proposal to require railroads to use automated track inspection technology.
Evidence
On February 26, 2026, Senator John Fetterman, along with Senators Maria Cantwell, Jon Husted, and others, reintroduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026. This legislation aims to enhance rail safety by improving hazardous materials oversight, strengthening emergency response support, and raising overall rail safety standards.
On February 24, 2026, Senators Maria Cantwell, Jon Husted, John Fetterman, and others reintroduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026. The bill seeks to strengthen rail safety requirements, improve train inspections, boost support for first responders, and increase penalties on rail companies for wrongdoing.
On February 3, 2026, Senator John Fetterman released a statement on the third anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment, emphasizing the need for Congress to pass commonsense legislation, including the Railway Safety Act, to prevent future tragedies.
On March 30, 2023, Senators John Fetterman, Bob Casey, and Sherrod Brown introduced the Railway Accountability Act to address rail safety concerns, protect workers, and prevent future harm to rail-side communities.
Mr. Husted (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Schmitt, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Moreno, and Mr. Fetterman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) in reintroducing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 to enhance rail safety by improving hazardous materials oversight, strengthening emergency response support, and raising overall rail safety standards.
Assessments
Senator Fetterman publicly sponsored and reintroduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 (Feb 2026) and previously introduced related rail safety legislation in 2023, and he issued public statements urging Congress to pass the bill. Official congressional records show the 2026 bill was read and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee but there is no evidence it was enacted into law. Because Fetterman materially advanced and actively supported the legislation but the package was not passed, the pledge is partially fulfilled (advocacy and sponsorship achieved, enactment not achieved).
Fetterman materially supported and worked on the Railway Safety Act of 2026 during his current Senate term, including joining the bipartisan reintroduction and issuing public statements urging passage. However, the available official bill status shows the measure was introduced and referred to committee, with no evidence that it passed Congress or became law. Because the promised rail-safety package has not been enacted, this is not delivered, but the documented sponsorship and advocacy warrant an effort badge.
Evidence shows Senator Fetterman co-sponsored, reintroduced, and advocated for the Railway Safety Act of 2026 and related rail safety legislation, matching the effort required by the promise. However, there is no evidence in the provided material that the Railway Safety Act of 2026 or an equivalent comprehensive rail safety package was actually passed into law during the same term. Therefore, the outcome was not delivered, but significant legislative effort was made.