On the recordJune 4, 2015
I rise, honestly, in some disbelief that this amendment is actually being offered. Members of Congress and industry stakeholders have been calling for months for the DOT to complete its rulemaking to update the integrity of tank cars that carry energy products and other hazardous materials. The DOT got the final rule out on May 8, and now, today, the gentleman wants to stop the implementation of that rule in its tracks. There have been countless examples of derailments involving trains that carry crude oil and other energy products. These incidents have resulted in explosive fires that burn for days. The incident that occurred in Quebec resulted in the preventable deaths of almost 50 people. U.S. and Canadian transportation officials have worked hard to try to improve the safe transportation of these dangerous products. The railroad industry wants stronger cars. Safety groups want stronger cars. Communities desperately want stronger cars. We ought not to delay the implementation of this long-awaited rule, so I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment. I am now happy to yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz- Balart), our distinguished subcommittee chairman.
