U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio at a 2024 roundtable discussion on rail safety. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee image
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On January 22, it was announced that Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) will serve as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. The subcommittee, which is a part of the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads.
BLET Vice President and National Legislative Representative Vince Verna welcomed the appointment. “Rep. Deluzio has served in Congress since 2023, and in that time has always been willing to support rail safety legislation and other issues of importance to BLET members,” Verna said.
Improving rail safety in the aftermath of the 2023 derailment in East Palestine has been one of his signature issues as a member of Congress. In a recent interview, he said the railroad lobby has been the biggest obstacle to passing rail safety legislation. He also said Norfolk Southern sacrificed the community for the sake of its own bottom line. Deluzio’s district, Pennsylvania 17, is immediately across the state line from East Palestine, Ohio. Read more here.