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Senate votes to prevent potential rail strike

The Senate has passed a bill to avert a nationwide rail strike that would have been catastrophic to the U.S. economy.  The joint resolution passed 80-15 and codifies an agreement that was brokered by the Biden administration in September but was rejected by some of the unions.

Tanner Beymer with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the ag industry couldn’t afford a shutdown and Congressional intervention was needed “in order to keep this rail strike from occurring and keep goods and services moving across the country at the speed of commerce.”

The House also passed the measure with bipartisan support.  The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.

An amendment to add seven days of paid sick leave, which narrowly passed the U.S. House, was rejected by the Senate.

National Grain and Feed Association president and CEO Mike Seyfert says NGFA members commend Congress for working in a bipartisan manner to avert a national rail shutdown.  He says resilient and reliable rail service is crucial to a functioning ag economy.