A New York Congressman is among six House Democrats who have introduced a bill to help local first responders handle train derailments.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney joined four other lawmakers to introduce the RESPONSE Act, or Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation Act. The bill would help first responders in local communities in the event of a train derailment or fuel spill. Maloney says that until there are new tanker cars, accidents like the oil train derailment in Illinois Thursday will continue to happen frequently and without warning. The legislation was introduced less than 10 days before that derailment. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate.
