WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sought to address the critical need for expanded rail capacity to support Montana jobs and key industries, such as agriculture and mining.
During today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on Freight Rail Transport, Daines pressed the panel on how to improve track capacity and maximize efficiency on our nation’s rail system.
“80 percent of our wheat crop is exported overseas, so it’s our connection from rails to the ports that allows us to grow jobs and support Montana farmers,” Daines stated during today’s hearing.
Immediately prior to today’s hearing, Daines met with members of the Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA), who ship over 130 million bushels of wheat to Pacific Northwest terminals each year and have faced rail capacity constraints due to Montana’s increased shuttle demand, severe weather and other issues in recent years.
“There is nothing more important to me than fighting for hardworking Montanans who deserve safe and reliable rail service in order to provide for their families and small businesses,” Daines stated. “As a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, I’ll continue working to ensure that the critical services Montanans rely on to move our ag products, as well as crude oil and coal, across our rail system each day remain efficient and reliable for future use.”
Video of Senator Daines’ remarks from today’s hearing are available here.
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