WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 10, 2021 – In a largely party-line vote, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a divisive surface transportation reauthorization package. The privately owned freight rail industry urges the House to turn away from partisan policy riders and instead embrace meaningful, overdue investments that can garner widespread support.

“Right now, we have strong agreement – across party lines and countless stakeholders – around the strategic value of smart investments to modernize our nation’s public infrastructure,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “Instead of working to drive bipartisan consensus and building on recent momentum in the Senate, the House committee majority has cast its lot on backwards-looking, divisive policies that will stand in the way of a successful reauthorization. Today’s partisan exercise is a wasted opportunity to craft legislation all should be able to embrace.”

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For more information contact: AAR Media Relations at media@aar.org or 202-639-2345.

About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world’s leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Learn more at www.aar.org.

Follow us on Twitter: @AAR_FreightRail or Facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.