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Rail bill awaits Senate action

All eyes are on the US Senate to get a bill passed that averts a shutdown of the nation’s railroads.

The House gave bipartisan approval to a bill on Wednesday that would implement a tentative rail agreement recommended by a presidential board.

Matt Ziegler with the National Corn Growers Association tells Brownfield he’s optimistic the Senate will take a vote today.

“There’s been a fair amount of fear and uncertainty,” he said. “Our (farmers) need certainty to do business and to succeed. This is one good step getting this through the House, but not quite to the finish line yet.”

He says President Biden has been actively working to help resolve the issue.

“He really led the charge here and made the call to Congress on Monday evening,” Ziegler said. “Speaker Pelosi came out shortly after that and got the ball rolling. We’re appreciative of the White House’s efforts here.”

Ziegler says he’s not confident the Senate will pass a second bill from the House that would add seven additional days of paid sick leave to the contract.

House Ag Committee Chairman David Scott says he’s hopeful the Senate will pass both resolutions to protect US economic stability, and maintain a transportation system with adequate worker benefits.