White House urge lawmakers to pass rail safety legislation

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21/05/2026 17:09

WASHINGTON, May 21 (Reuters) - The White House on Thursday urged lawmakers to pass long-stalled rail safety legislation after the 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern-operated NSC.N train in East Palestine, Ohio, catching fire and releasing over a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants.

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is debating a five-year $580 billion highway bill Thursday. It is expected to consider adding a rail safety bill that would boost safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials and toughen rules on wheel bearing failures.

 (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

 ((David.Shepardson@thomsonreuters.com; 2028988324;))