James Oberstar: “we have worked very vigorously in our committee over decades to achieve the bipartisanship, and we have done so. But I…”

“we have worked very vigorously in our committee over decades to achieve the bipartisanship, and we have done so. But I think the gentleman is a little misguided in his recitation of history, because there were the Federalists and the Democrats at the outset and they didn't do much bipartisanship at the beginning of this Congress of ours. I just refer to section 3 of the manager's amendment, line 2: No Preemption of State Law. Nothing in section 20106 of title 49 U.S. Code preempts a State cause of action, or any damages recoverable in such an action, et cetera. So, in fact, the preemptive language specifically recognizes that existing law preempts positive laws, regulation, or orders by executive or legislative branch officials, expressly address railroad safety or security. And, not to be concerned, we will address the broader issue as we go forward with the rail safety authorization.”