Donald Trump campaigned with the aim of draining the swamp, revitalizing America, and prioritizing working families. His supporters believed in that vision. So, why are some Republicans in Washington seemingly working against it?
The answer might lie in the proposed Railway Safety Act.
Following the East Palestine derailment in February 2023, there was widespread pressure to respond. The images from that incident were heartbreaking, and the public’s outrage was completely understandable.
However, the legislation being discussed goes far beyond addressing the specific issues from that accident. It includes federal demands—rigid crew regulations, outdated inspection protocols, and operational constraints that were crafted for a different era of railroading. These measures seem more focused on asserting federal control over an industry that has prospered after nearly 50 years of less government intervention.
This isn’t about safety. It’s just the swamp behaving as swamps do.
Freight railroads represent an incredible success story for America. The industry invests around $23 billion each year without seeking taxpayer assistance or federal grants—just delivering solid results.
Last year marked a historic low for accident rates, with the freight rail sector demonstrating remarkable safety across various metrics, including a significant drop in hazardous materials incidents since 2005. An impressive 99.99% of hazardous materials reached their destinations without incident.
This safety improvement has stemmed from private investment and American innovation, not top-down government mandates. So, rather than undermining this progress, we should be looking to enhance it.
The National Transportation Safety Board concluded there was insufficient evidence that more thorough inspections would have unearthed the causes of the East Palestine derailment. Yet, the foundations of the Rail Safety Act seem built on unsupported premises.
Moreover, private funding has made rail transport considerably more affordable. The freight rail fares have dropped by 44% when adjusting for inflation, helping U.S. manufacturers stay competitive. This, in turn, benefits farmers and keeps consumer prices low.
This exemplifies the “America First” economic strategy.
Introducing rail safety legislation that relies on outdated methodologies for future technologies risks stalling innovation and driving up costs throughout the supply chain. Given that freight rail accounts for about 40% of long-haul goods transport in the U.S., higher rail costs eventually lead to increased prices for everything—food, fuel, materials, and manufactured items—ultimately hurting working families the most.
Additionally, as rail costs rise, some shippers may pivot to trucks, placing more cargo on the roads, and consequently raising the risk of accidents. Ironically, measures intended for security might make cargo transfers less secure.
An administration focused on combating inflation and rejuvenating America should pause before endorsing legislation that elevates living costs for its supporters.
This is a self-inflicted challenge—working families deserve better.
The dynamic within American companies seems notably different. They’re investing their resources, leveraging their technologies, and succeeding without excessive oversight from Washington. This model has transformed U.S. freight railroads into the most efficient private rail network globally. It aligns neatly with the principles of the America First agenda—let’s not compromise on that.
The 2026 midterm elections may be closer than we think. Workers who felt unheard by Washington rallied behind the Republican Party. They will likely see through policies that resemble the same old governmental overreach they disapproved of, especially those that increase costs and expand oversight, which only provides ammunition to critics.
Trump’s commitment to working families involved draining the swamp and reviving American priorities. The Railway Safety Act, however, contradicts that promise. Voters believed in it—let’s show them the respect they deserve.
