Biden Urges Congress to Avert Rail Strike

With the looming threat of a rail strike imminent, President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to act. 

Biden wants lawmakers to immediately mandate the tentative agreement reached between railroad workers and operators in September “to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown,” according to a Nov. 28 statement. Three of the unions involved in the dispute have rejected the proposed agreement, holding out for more favorable terms. 

The deadline for an agreement between all the parties is Dec. 9. The president called for Congress to override the traditional ratification procedures in order to quickly proceed. 

“Congress has the power to adopt the agreement and prevent a shutdown,” Biden stated. “At this critical moment for our economy, in the holiday season, we cannot let our strongly held conviction for better outcomes for workers … hurl this nation into a devastating rail freight shutdown.” 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also released a statement Nov. 28, saying the House will consider the legislation this week in order to send it to the Senate.