(Associated Press circulated the following on September 28.)
CHICAGO – Legislation intended to tighten the rules on railroad mergers has fallen short of approval in the U.S. House, dealing a blow to opponents of the Canadian National Railway’s plan to reroute more freight trains through dozens of outlying Chicago suburbs.
Several suburban members of Congress had hoped the measure would help thwart the CN’s plans to acquire the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, but they could not muster enough support.
The measure gained a majority vote, 243-175, but under special fast-track rules in effect Saturday, a two-thirds majority was needed for approval.
The measure now goes back to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which approved it last week.