Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy holds a briefing Jan. 30 on the midair collison between an American Airways jet and a navy helicopter that claimed 67 lives. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg Information)
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After changing into the nation’s prime transportation official, Secretary Sean Duffy pointed to the Division of Transportation’s long-standing main focus: security.
Duffy’s reminder of the division’s hyperfocus on security packages and initiatives got here quickly after an aviation crash within the Washington, D.C., airspace in addition to on the second anniversary of the freight prepare derailment in Ohio.
Amid mounting nationwide considerations about aviation security, the Federal Aviation Administration on Jan. 31 restricted helicopter visitors alongside the Potomac River. The restrictions will stand till impartial investigators finalize preliminary stories about the reason for a lethal collision between a business airplane and a navy helicopter close to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport.
“That is a part of the U.S. Division of Transportation’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding our nation’s skies and upholding the very best requirements of air journey security,” the newly confirmed secretary stated Jan. 31. “We are going to proceed to assist President [Donald] Trump’s directive to realize uncompromised aviation security. The American individuals deserve full confidence in our aviation system, and as we speak’s motion is a big step in direction of restoring that belief.”
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board is investigating the crash, which has renewed consideration about staffing standards for air visitors controllers.
To mark the two-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, Duffy once more emphasised Trump administration efforts and assets meant to ensure security alongside business and commuter corridors.
“The East Palestine group has proven its resilience whereas persevering with to get better from the devastating prepare derailment that modified its residents’ lives without end,” Duffy stated. “In partnership with the Trump-[Vice President J.D.] Vance administration and Congress, USDOT will work to advance rail security. As President Trump has pledged, we are going to make sure the individuals of East Palestine will not be forgotten, and we are going to use each useful resource to stop different communities from enduring what they skilled.”
NTSB’s closing report about East Palestine, printed final 12 months, decided a railcar’s faulty wheel bearing was at fault; the bearing on a hopper automotive failed and overheated, in response to the impartial company. The crash resulted within the launch of hazardous materials within the space.
On Capitol Hill, senior Democrats referred to as on congressional Republican leaders to take up rail security laws. In 2023, the Commerce Committee on freight coverage handed the Railway Security Act, which had been co-sponsored by then-Sen. Vance (R-Ohio.). The bipartisan invoice finally didn’t garner requisite assist for enactment. The invoice was designed to pave the way in which for enhancements to business security requirements.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), rating member of the Commerce Committee, urged Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to go the invoice throughout this session of Congress.
“In response to the derailment, Senate Democrats teamed up with now Vice President Vance to writer the bipartisan Railway Security Act. The laws addressed key NTSB suggestions after its investigation of the East Palestine derailment,” Cantwell wrote Cruz on Feb. 4. “Sadly, regardless of the assist of President Trump, solely seven Republicans publicly supported the laws, leaving the invoice two votes shy for overcoming the filibuster within the 118th Congress. Failure to go this laws has left most of the NTSB’s suggestions unfulfilled.”
Home lawmakers representing Ohio reintroduced their model of the rail security laws. On Feb. 4, Reps. Emilia Sykes (D) and Mike Rulli (R), unveiled the Lowering Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act. The Home laws didn’t advance in the latest session of Congress.
As Sykes defined: “Two full years have handed since this tragic and preventable catastrophe uprooted the lives of the individuals of East Palestine and neighboring communities, and Congress has not handed laws to stop this from occurring once more sooner or later. The individuals of East Palestine deserve higher, and I hope the bulk does proper by the individuals of this nation and prioritizes rail security.”
Rulli added, “This laws is about extra than simply coverage — it’s about guaranteeing the protection of American households, stopping future tragedies and the well-being of our communities.”
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Cruz and fellow prime Republicans tasked with managing coverage panels have but to announce the measure’s reconsideration. Because the begin of this session of Congress in January, congressional leaders have indicated they intend to pursue efforts aimed toward enhancing provide chain connectivity.
Throughout a go to to East Palestine on the derailment’s anniversary, Vance expressed optimism concerning the invoice’s probabilities in a GOP-led Congress.
“Definitely, I believe that we will say with confidence the president shares my view that we’d like some common sense rail security,” the vp stated Feb. 3. “And, sure, that’s one thing that we’re going to work on over the following couple of years. It’s one thing that I believe that we’ve a significantly better shot at, frankly, with Republicans in cost.”
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