U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

01/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 09:28

Chairman Webster Statement from Hearing on America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials

Chairman Webster Statement from Hearing on America's Freight and Passenger Rail Network

Washington, D.C., January 23, 2025 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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Opening remarks, as prepared, of Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) from today's hearing, entitled "America Builds: Examining America's Freight and Passenger Rail Network":

Since the early 19th century, when trains first began operating, railroads have played an essential role in shaping our nation's history and development. As America grew more dependent on railroads for commerce and transportation, rail became the very first industry to be regulated by the federal government under the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Railroads remain an integral part of our nation's infrastructure, and our modern economic survival and well-being rely on dependable rail service.

America's freight rail network is widely considered the largest, safest, and most cost-efficient in the world. Spanning nearly 140,000 miles of track, this essential network annually moves over 1.6 billion tons of goods that Americans rely upon to survive.

The modern success of freight railroads largely traces back to the passage of the Staggers Act of 1980, which deregulated the industry and allowed for unprecedented growth.

In the time since Staggers was signed into law, moving goods by freight rail has become cheaper, more efficient, and safer. Ensuring that the industry continues to grow without excessive and unnecessary government burdens is a key consideration that should be factored into any actions toward freight rail taken by Congress, or the Executive Branch.

While this hearing will focus on America's freight rail network, it will also touch upon improving and constructively growing intercity passenger rail to best serve America's needs. Passenger rail works best where demand is high, competition and private sector involvement are ample, and a dependence on government support is low.

For Amtrak, we must look at improving and maintaining its existing network, weaning it off government support, and providing competitive, reliable, and safe service to attract riders. Amtrak should serve as an appealing option for travel, not as a replacement for vehicles and airplanes, which remain the overwhelming preference for Americans.

As you know, the current surface transportation authorization expires this Congress, and discussions have begun assessing the nation's infrastructure needs. The Committee's work on surface reauthorization legislation will require us to be both principled and pragmatic. Building and supporting America's rail network involves cutting red tape, improving safety through technology and innovation, encouraging private sector involvement and competition, and decreasing dependence on government funding and control.

Today's witnesses will be able to provide us important insights into stakeholder views on these topics, and I look forward to their testimony.

Click here for more information, including video and witness testimony.


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