Ohio train derailment: Ilhan Omar and Ted Cruz find rare agreement over toxic accident
Ryan King
Video Embed
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) had a rare moment of unity with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) over the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Omar said the crash, which unleashed dangerous chemicals into the environment, will be harmful to nearby residents for decades to come. Cruz agreed with the Democrat’s comment.
GOV. MIKE DEWINE ASKS CONGRESS TO CHANGE RULES FOR HAZARDOUS TRAINS AFTER OHIO DISASTER
“East Palestine railroad derailment will have a significant negative impact on the health and well-being of the residents for decades and there is almost zero national media attention. We need Congressional inquiry and direct action from @PeteButtigieg to address this tragedy,” Omar tweeted.
“Fully agree,” Cruz said in response.
https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1625498210230992899?s=20
A Norfolk Southern freight train transporting dangerous such as vinyl chloride and combustible liquids derailed near the state’s eastern border on Feb. 3 and caught fire, which has spanned multiple days. Thousands of nearby residents have evacuated their homes, though some have been allowed to return.
Vinyl chloride has been linked to liver damage and a rare form of liver cancer, though state officials have maintained that so far, no vinyl chloride has been identified in downgradient waterways. Ten of the 50 cars that derailed contained hazardous chemicals.
Ohio officials are deliberating over whether to conduct a controlled release amid fears that the cars will explode as the combustible chemicals continue to sit there.
Omar’s tweet featured a clip of former Ohio Fire Chief Silverio Caggiano, who likened the burning of the toxic chemicals to “basically” nuking the area.
“So do you support reinstating the rail safety rules that Trump repealed—while Norfolk Southern executives made millions and spent billions on stock buybacks— and expanding the safety rules to cover trains that carry these chemicals?” Omar replied to Cruz.
https://twitter.com/IlhanMN/status/1625576988629995522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1625576988629995522%7Ctwgr%5Ea8399741fcd8d26dea83fd18b2a7cf7d8e652d06%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fcruz-omar-find-common-ground-negative-impact-residents-ohio-train-derailment
The senator did not immediately respond to her follow-up. Cruz has highlighted areas of agreement with progressives in the past, including Omar’s fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Department of Transportation is investigating the derailment situation and the City of East Palestine is slated to hold an emergency council meeting Wednesday.
A bevy of Republicans leaned on the East Palestine fiasco to excoriate Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a rising star in Democratic circles, speculated to be harboring presidential aspirations.