East Palestine Train Derailment: Cleanup and Recovery Efforts Continue Amid Legislative Inaction

A year after the disaster, community trauma persists as Congress fails to act on safety reforms, despite bipartisan support and railroad industry's mixed safety record.

A year after the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, cleanup efforts continue amid ongoing community trauma and division.
Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) criticizes Congress for inaction on the Railway Safety Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing future derailments.
Norfolk Southern has committed over $103 million to recovery efforts in East Palestine, including health, home value, and drinking water protection initiatives.
Rail safety statistics show mixed results, with a slight increase in train accidents but a decrease in derailments; major derailments causing over $1 million in damage surged by nearly 33%.
Railroad unions express concerns over the industry's lean operating model, suggesting it compromises safety by reducing inspections and maintenance.