Biden Wants Congress To Ratify Choo Choo Train Deal To Avoid Strike

I’m all for doing what’s necessary to avoid a strike, as my business is 100% dependent on moving product via train

Biden calls on Congress to intervene to avert rail shutdown

President Biden on Monday called on Congress to pass legislation to avert a rail shutdown before Dec. 9, warning of major disruptions to the U.S. economy if lawmakers don’t act.

He said Congress should pass a bill “immediately to adopt the Tentative Agreement between railroad workers and operators — without any modifications or delay — to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown.”

Biden’s plea to Congress comes amid an ongoing labor standoff that could shut down crucial shipments of food and fuel.

In response to Biden’s call, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement, “This week, the House will take up a bill adopting the Tentative Agreement — with no poison pills or changes to the negotiated terms — and send it to the Senate.”

I have a question: why would it be necessary for Congress to pass a bill? Isn’t this an agreement between private entities? How is it possible for the Congress to pass a bill and have it binding for private enterprises and the unions involved? Especially since it seems that several of the unions have said “no”?

“On the day that it was announced, labor leaders, business leaders, and elected officials all hailed it as a fair resolution of the dispute between the hard-working men and women of the rail freight unions and the companies in that industry,” he said.

While I agree with wanting to avoid a crippling strike, under what authority can the Congress force this upon the parties involved?

Biden, in his statement, warned about the outcome if there is a shutdown.

“Let me be clear: a rail shutdown would devastate our economy. Without freight rail, many U.S. industries would shut down,” he said, adding that union workers would be out of work, communities would struggle to get chemicals that ensure clean drinking water and farmers and ranchers would be unable to feed their livestock.

He’s not wrong. Not wrong in the least. He also wants, again, zero changes. No adding this or that or the other from Democrats or Republicans. Who’s your bet on the first to attempt to attach ryders to the bill? I’m going with Squad members.

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