Political Quotes

“I thank the ranking member for yielding, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Barletta) for all his work on this amendment. I rise in support of this amendment and ask my colleagues to support it. Madam Chair, this amendment is common sense and will strengthen the Department of Transportation's tank car rule by providing all legacy tank cars retrofitted for class III flammable liquid service to include enhanced top fittings protections for pressure relief valves. The pressure relief valve on a new tank car standard allows tank cars to vent gases to reduce the chance of a tank car rupturing from vapor pressure, which can happen if it is heated after a derailment or an accident. However, this pressure relief valve is susceptible to damage in the event of an accident, as it can easily be torn off, thus eliminating any safety benefit. To mitigate this issue, this amendment would require the installation of a small, protective device that will help keep this valve in place after an accident and save lives in the process. This amendment is supported by the American Petroleum Institute, Association of American Railroads, the American Chemistry Council, and Renewable Fuels Association, and is something that has been called for by first responders who have a lot of these trains going through these districts. I know it is very important to me in my district in the Chicagoland area.…”