Op-Ed: Rail safety mandates don’t belong in America’s transportation bill

Louisiana has long been a cornerstone of American commerce, with freight railroads serving as a critical backbone of our economy. From energy and agriculture to chemicals and exports moving through our ports, rail connects Louisiana’s workers and industries to national and global markets. That is why efforts in Congress to revive sweeping rail mandates – whether through legislation introduced by Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Deluzio or by quietly inserting similar provisions into the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization – should raise serious concerns for our state.

As Congress begins work on the next transportation bill, Louisiana lawmakers are expected to play an outsized leadership role in shaping the package. That influence should be used to protect affordability, competitiveness, and economic growth – not to reopen failed policy debates that would impose costly, top-down rail regulations with little evidence they would improve safety.

Proposals modeled on the so-called...