WASHINGTON (June 18, 2025) – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) today welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Reliable Rail Service Act, sponsored by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
“Senators Baldwin and Marshall have proposed smart and much-needed reforms to help fix persistent freight rail service failures that are plaguing chemical manufacturers,” said Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. “If members of Congress are serious about bringing jobs back, leading global trade, and making more in America—not China—they should back this bill. We urge Democrats and Republicans alike to support this important legislation because it will help ensure that railroads deliver on their obligation to provide reliable service to U.S. manufacturers.”
Poor rail service and failed deliveries lead to lost production for chemical manufacturers and negatively impact just about every corner of the economy — from agriculture to industrial manufacturing and energy production.
ACC has repeatedly raised concerns before Congress and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about freight rail service problems that harm our industry’s ability to meet the needs of the nation. The sensible solutions in the Reliable Rail Service Act help equip the STB to take decisive action to fix freight rail problems that put the brakes on the U.S. economy and weaken the supply chain.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Clarifying that railroads have a statutory obligation to provide “timely, efficient, and reliable rail service”; and
- Establishing specific criteria to hold railroads accountable for meeting this obligation.
The bill also acknowledges that years of workforce reductions, rail yard closures, and locomotive cutbacks have weakened the resilience of the freight rail network, making service disruptions more frequent and severe.
“The Reliable Rail Service Act is a vital step toward restoring accountability and reliability in our nation’s freight rail system so the U.S. can lead in global trade and job growth,” Jahn added. “We commend Senators Baldwin and Marshall for their leadership and urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this legislation to help move more American-made goods, including chemistry. When chemistry creates, America competes.”
