House Committee Approves Rail Bill

The House Judiciary Committee approved railroad legislation Sept. 16 that is designed to reduce carriers’ pricing power by removing the industry’s anti-trust authority.

“This legislation is long overdue and absolutely necessary to begin to end the railroad monopolies that are driving consumer prices up and service down,” Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who sponsored the measure, said in a statement.

A companion bill in the Senate has not moved because sponsor Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) agreed to combine his bill with rail competition legislation being prepared by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).