NAMA Applauds House Vote to Avert Rail Shutdown, Urges Senate to Act

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to prevent a rail service shutdown. The legislation would enact the tentative agreement struck between the railroads and union leaders in September 2022.

“The milling supply chain relies on rail. Even a short-term strike would have an enormous negative impact, leading to supply shortages and higher prices on household staples for consumers,” NAMA President Jane DeMarchi said.

“NAMA thanks the Biden administration and House representatives for moving to avoid a shutdown and urges the Senate to act swiftly.”

Months of negotiations between the unions that had rejected the tentative agreement and railroads ultimately stalled.

NAMA joins a wide range of agriculture and food industry stakeholders in urging Congress to act, as it has in the past, and deliver a bipartisan bill to the president’s desk in advance of the December 9 deadline to avoid the devastating economic consequences of a rail service shutdown.

Any delay in congressional passage of the tentative agreement increases the likelihood of rail service disruptions as railroads begin to embargo certain materials before a potential shutdown.