House Passes Legislation to Avert Rail Strike, Address Some Worker Demands
Summary from the AllSides News Team
The House of Representatives voted 290-137 on Wednesday to approve a tentative rail agreement and avoid a potential railroad workers’ strike.
For Context: In a separate 221-207 vote, all House Democrats and three Republicans approved a measure to grant rail workers seven days of sick leave — a key demand that held up prior negotiations. The specter of an economically-damaging rail strike rose once again in early November when the nation’s largest rail union narrowly voted to reject a deal with rail carriers. President Joe Biden met with congressional leaders this week and gave his support for a deal negotiated with workers, companies, and the Biden administration.
Key Quote: "This overwhelming bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives makes clear that Democrats and Republicans agree that a rail shutdown would be devastating to our economy and families across the country. The Senate must now act urgently," Biden said in a statement.
How the Media Covered It: Coverage was widespread across the spectrum. Outlets on the left were more likely to cover workers who were disappointed by Biden’s decision; one Vice (Left bias) headline highlighted a quote calling him a “SCAB.”
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
House passes legislation to avert a rail shutdown
The House on Wednesday approved legislation to avert a rail shutdown following a grave warning from President Joe Biden about the economic danger posed by congressional inaction.
By a 290 to 137 vote, the House passed the tentative rail agreement that will prevent a rail strike. The vote was largely bipartisan, with 79 Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the bill. Eight Democrats voted against the bill.
In a separate vote, the House also voted 221 to 207 to add a provision to the rail agreement that would increase the number of...
From the Center
House approves tentative labor deal to avoid rail strike, sends to Senate
The House passed legislation Wednesday that would force a tentative rail labor agreement and thwart a national strike. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has promised swift passage.
A separate House vote added seven days of paid sick leave to the agreement.
The resolution’s passage, by a vote of 290-137, comes after President Joe Biden called on Congress to intervene in the stalled talks between railroads and some of the industry’s major unions. He met with the four House and Senate leaders Tuesday in an...
From the Right
House passes Biden-backed bill to avert rail strike
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday to avert a national railroad strike, but questions remain about whether the effort can clear the 50-50 Senate.
By an 290-137 vote, House lawmakers voted to pass legislation blocking nearly 100,000 railroad workers from striking in early December. Economists and the White House have warned that a railroad strike could paralyze the nation's economy ahead of the holiday season.
"We must act to prevent a catastrophic strike that would touch the lives of nearly every family," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
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