Press Releases

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement regarding today’s vote in the House of Representatives on measures targeting a potential strike by freight railroad workers and a shutdown of the economy:

“Congress should have never been in the position of preventing this economic catastrophe, but the House has now acted to avert a rail shutdown that would further devastate an economy already coping with the consequences of this Administration’s disastrous spending and policies.  The impacts of a strike would be widespread, including the stoppage of critical shipments of fertilizer for the Nation’s farmers.  That’s why I voted for today’s first resolution, H.J. Res. 100, that would simply put in place the Tentative Agreement supported by the railroad companies, all 12 rail union leaders, and many shippers.  However, I voted against the second resolution, H. Con. Res. 119, which is nothing more than a reckless political stunt by the Speaker to change the Tentative Agreement at the 11^th hour.”