Op-Ed: Ohio Train Derailment Shows We Need An America First Infrastructure Policy Now More Than Ever

This article originally appeared in Daily Caller on February 24, 2023

After the massive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, our nation’s infrastructure issues are now top of mind for many American citizens. While East Palestine experienced a landmark environmental disaster after nearly 50 train cars were derailed, Biden administration officials remained silent for weeks. The derailment demonstrated a fact that is all too apparent in recent months: America’s infrastructure is being neglected, and the Biden administration’s policies are not the answer to the problems we face.

This incident highlights several major issues with America’s infrastructure, including mislabeling hazardous materials in transit. The lack of adequate safety protocols emanated from an earlier decision by the Biden administration in December to intentionally ignore reforming a practice known as Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR), which reduces personnel and inspection time for railways.

Sens. Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance penned a letter questioning the Biden administration’s prioritization of “efficiency over resilience in its national infrastructure and transportation systems,” in light of its lax stance on PSR and infrastructure safety.

Read full op-ed in Daily Caller