BILL TO END RAILROADÆS ANTITRUST IMMUNITY LANDS IN CONGRESS
Rep. Earl Pommeroy, D-N.D., has introduced a bill that would end the railroad industry’s antitrust immunity and give the U.S. Department of Justice a say over rail mergers.
The legislation is the toughest so far to emerge as debate rages in Washington over how government should handle rail mergers.
Under the new bill, rail mergers would require approval of both the Surface Transportation Board and the U.S. Department of Justice. Under current law, the STB has sole authority over rail mergers.
H.R. 4514 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.