WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 30, 2019 – Ian Jefferies, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), issued the following statement in response to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approving its surface transportation bill (S. 2302):

“The rail industry commends Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper and the rest of the Senate EPW Committee for their leadership in beginning to address the U.S. surface transportation system. We particularly welcome efforts by lawmakers to further streamline project permitting by codifying the ‘one federal decision’ model, avoid measures that would exacerbate modal inequities and support the Section 130 program to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings. We look forward to working with the rest of Congress as this proposal moves forward, including most critically to ensure that any final legislation is supported by real user fees.”

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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.

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