Positive Reaction to Senate Action Preventing Rail Shutdown

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said he is grateful for Congress taking swift action to prevent a crippling national rail shutdown.

“A rail strike would have had significant and long-lasting effects on the American economy,” Vilsack said. “U.S. farmers and ranchers can breathe a sigh of relief that the trains will stay on track to deliver food, inputs, raw materials, and other essential items.”

The Fertilizer Institute also applauded Congress for taking action to prevent a stoppage.  “The rail strike would have severely disrupted fertilizer deliveries and hurt domestic production,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Rail is critical to fertilizer movement year-round.”

The American Feed Industry Association also appreciates the Congressional action to avoid a strike. “Slowing or stopping the transport of goods via rail threatens the livelihoods of those hardworking Americans well beyond our nation’s tracks,” said AFIA president and CEO Constance Cullman.

America’s railways move one-quarter of all U.S. grain products.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com