Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Holding Norfolk Southern Accountable For Its Pattern Of Negligence Regarding Rail Safety

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw testifying before the Environment and Public Works Committee. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

This morning, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw will testify before the Environment and Public Works Committee, where he will be held to account for his company’s pattern of negligence when it comes to safety regulations. 

My questions to Mr. Shaw remain the same: Why did Norfolk Southern spend years lobbying for looser regulations to prevent accidents like this, particularly when Donald Trump was President?

Despite seeing a record $3.3 billion in profits last year, why did Norfolk Southern prioritize billions in stock buybacks instead of investing in safety equipment or in their workers?

What is Norfolk Southern doing to prevent future accidents like the one in East Palestine? And God forbid another one happens, how will Norfolk Southern ensure communities get the resources they need to respond to them?

I expect Mr. Shaw to answer these questions. The American people expect Mr. Shaw to answer these questions.

And we expect a candid, frank, and honest discussion about the dangers of rail companies like Norfolk Southern maximizing profits at the expense of everything else—even people’s safety.

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