Buttigieg Tries To Salvage DESTROYED Reputation

(RestoreAmericanGlory.com) – On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pushed for freight rail reforms following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio which led to a toxic chemical spill and caused thousands of residents to evacuate the area.

Buttigieg is pushing Norfolk Southern, which operated the derailed train in Ohio, and other freight rail companies to make several safety alterations to their practices, including deploying new inspection technologies. He is further calling for safer tank cars to be used as well as for these companies to notify state emergency officials ahead of time whenever hazardous chemicals or gas are being transported through their state.

The Department of Transportation is also set to start its own inspection of routes that are used by trains carrying hazardous materials. A new rule will also require two railroad staff to be available during certain operations.

Buttigieg in a statement said that the “safety of the American people” came above “profit and expediency” and that the Department of Transportation would work towards improving rail safety. He further urged Congress and the rail industry to join them in their efforts.

When it comes to Congress specifically, Buttigieg is pushing for an increase in the penalties that companies have to face for not following through with safety violations. Currently, the fees are close to $225,000, which Buttigieg noted is not enough if they consider that Norfolk Southern had a “record annual operating income in 2022 of $4.8 billion.”

The Department of Justice is also pushing for rail workers to be allowed to have paid sick leave, which was a key issue discussed by rail worker unions and management in the past year.

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