June 24, 2025 — Just hours before a scheduled House Rail Subcommittee hearing on innovation and safety technology in the freight rail industry, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Virginia. While no injuries were reported, the incident has reignited concerns about the industry’s push to roll back federal safety standards.

At today’s 10 a.m. hearing, lawmakers heard from rail labor, technology firms, and policy advocates. Among those testifying was Tony Cardwell, President of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), representing the perspective of frontline rail workers. Cardwell emphasized that rail workers are not opposed to innovation—but reject the idea that safety should be sacrificed in the name of efficiency:

“What I will not do is trade safety for convenience or allow the railroads to do so in the name of chasing the latest piece of technology. We also want an adoption of the technology that helps catch some of these other defects that the human eye can’t catch. So yes, we can work together and achieve a much safer railroad,” Cardwell stated.

Lawmakers echoed those calls for collaboration. During questioning, Representative Seth Moulton (D-MA) urged David Shannon, General Manager of RailPulse, to bring unions into the conversation:

“Why can’t we get on the same page here? Why won’t you invite the rail unions into the discussion? …You are part of the solution, but his [Cardwell] workers are part of the solution too. They have a pretty good perspective,” Moulton said.

Cardwell’s position was clear:

“Partner with us [rail labor unions] to get it right.”

In the lead-up to the hearing, the Transportation Trades Department (TTD) and affiliated unions circulated materials to House staff warning that the rail industry is using “innovation” as cover to cut safety-critical jobs and reduce oversight. According to labor data:

• Between 2015 and 2024, the accident rate increased 14%, despite a 23% decline in train miles.
• Class I railroads have cut nearly 30% of their workforce, with some crafts seeing cuts over 40%.
• The America Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave rail a downgrade in its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, citing safety and capacity concerns.

Rail unions say they support technology that improves safety but oppose untested systems deployed solely to reduce costs. They cite examples like defect detectors and automated inspections as beneficial when paired with skilled workers—not when used to replace them.

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) recently released a deregulatory proposal targeting dozens of federal rules, including:

• Reduced brake, track, and signal inspections.
• Elimination of the two-person crew requirement.
• Weakened reporting standards for hazardous materials.

The public, too, is feeling the impact. A recent shipper survey found 100% of respondents dissatisfied with rail service, citing erratic schedules, high costs, and poor customer support. These complaints prompted a public rebuke from the Surface Transportation Board in January.

Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are backing labor’s call to preserve and strengthen safety regulations. In a tweet posted this week, they highlighted the stakes: “Public safety must come first.”

Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) submitted a letter from the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) into the hearing record, adding another union voice in defense of rail safety.

Today’s hearing offers a chance for Congress to scrutinize whether “rail innovation” is improving the system—or simply making it cheaper and riskier.

Watch the hearing: House Rail Subcommittee Event Page