45th President Donald Trump has endorsed a proposal crafted in the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment by Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
In a Truth Social post, the former president slammed Joe Biden for continuing to ignore the citizens of East Palestine, whose town was devastated after a train loaded with hazardous chemicals fell off the tracks in February.
“Crooked Joe Biden has still not visited the incredible Patriots of East Palestine, and Mayor Pete couldn’t get out of there fast enough. But that’s ok — our movement will be their voice, and we will NEVER forget them,” the 45th president wrote.
Trump added that “JD Vance has been working hard in the Senate to make sure nothing like this EVER happens again, and that’s why it’s so important for Congress to pass his Railway Safety Act. JD’s terrific bill has my Complete and Total Endorsement!!!”
Vance’s press office celebrated Trump’s endorsement of his proposal on social media.
🚨BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump endorses Senator @JDVance1’s Railway Safety Act: pic.twitter.com/dOXCDpvoiE
— Senator Vance Press Office (@SenVancePress) May 8, 2023
Described by many as a modern day “Chernobyl” event, a train carrying vinyl chloride and other toxic chemicals derailed on February 3 in East Palestine, resulting in fires and a massive plume of black smoke that lasted for numerous days and could be seen from several miles around.
Three days after the derailment, emergency crews decided to conduct a “controlled burn” of the dangerous chemicals supposedly in order to prevent a larger and more hazardous explosion.
The controlled burn ultimately caused hydrogen chloride and toxic substances such as phosgene to be released into the surrounding area, prompting the mandatory evacuation of all citizens of East Palestine within a one-mile radius.
NEW – Today, U.S. Senator Vance visited East Palestine, Ohio, where a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed.
Look what happens when he puts a stick into a creek.pic.twitter.com/gJbEYd1RPo
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 16, 2023
Citizens of East Palestine have criticized the Biden administration’s response, or lack thereof, to the devastating incident.
The bipartisan Railway Safety Act, pitched by Senator Vance and Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, reportedly seeks to enhance and bolster safety protocols for trains that carry dangerous materials.
WATCH: Senator @JDVance1 calls on fellow Republicans to pass his rail safety legislation🔥
"It's time to be the party of working people…Are we for big business and big government or are we for the people of East Palestine? It's a time for choosing." pic.twitter.com/oYt0hPX3bN
— Senator Vance Press Office (@SenVancePress) March 9, 2023
The legislation, if passed, will also increase rail inspections and lower the risk of wheel bearing failures.
“It would mean new rules to prevent wheel bearing failures like we saw in this crash,” Sen. Brown said. “We know wheel bearing failures are the number one mechanical cause of derailments. It would require two person work crews on every train.”
“Through this legislation, Congress has a real opportunity to ensure that what happened in East Palestine will never happen again,” Sen. Vance said.
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