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Committee urges congressional inquiry into East Palestine derailment, cites transparency concerns
Summary
The House Natural Resources Committee unanimously favorably reported HR 147, a resolution urging Congress to form a special committee to investigate the February 2023 East Palestine train derailment and federal response after testimony raised concerns about withheld health information.
The committee voted to favorably report House Resolution 147, urging Congress to investigate the 2023 East Palestine train derailment and the federal response, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s handling of health-related information.
Representative Rob Blaisdell, sponsor of the resolution, told members that new documents obtained via Freedom of Information Act requests indicate the EPA may have withheld “significant health specific information” about the potential for cancer clusters, and that an unmet needs report ordered by executive action in September 2023 has not been publicly released. Blaisdell said the resolution seeks a special congressional committee to ensure full transparency for East Palestine residents.
Members asked whether the resolution targets health concerns specifically and what state-level actions were taken. Representative McNally asked whether recent court rulings relating to EPA testing narrowed the focus; Blaisdell said the resolution is specifically focused on newly surfaced information and the need for continued investigation. Representative Johnson emphasized corporate accountability, saying Norfolk Southern “needs to be held responsible” for the incident; Blaisdell acknowledged Norfolk Southern’s responsiveness in assisting constituents while stressing the need for transparency from federal agencies.
Vice Chair Fisher moved to favorably report HR 147; the roll call yielded 12 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes. The committee’s favorable report sends the resolution to the House floor for further consideration.
