A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, reduce derailments, improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail, and prevent rail worker fatalities.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S4659-4660)

S.Res.356 through Congress

S.Res.356 is considered only in the Senate.

SenateSep 21, 2023IntroducedOfficial record

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Separate related House measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the House stage of S.Res.356.

Related House measure: H.Res.698 Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States, and supporting the goals and ideals of reducing highway-rail grade crossing-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 21, 2023

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rail Safety Week. The resolution also expresses support for (1) the communities impacted by the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; and (2) the actions of first responders who combat releases of hazardous materials across the United States, including the firefighters who responded to the derailment in Ohio.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] · D–WA

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 21, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S4659-4660)
Sep 21, 2023
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Sep 21, 2023 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.356 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.Res.356, 118th Congress: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, reduce derailments, improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail, and prevent rail worker fatalities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/356

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/sres356/BILLS-118sres356is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.356 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.356 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.356, 118th Congress: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, reduce derailments, improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail, and prevent rail worker fatalities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/356

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/sres356/BILLS-118sres356is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.356 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.356 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.356, 118th Congress: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, reduce derailments, improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail, and prevent rail worker fatalities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/356

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/sres356/BILLS-118sres356is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.356 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.356 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.356, 118th Congress: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 18 through September 24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Rail Safety Week to reduce highway-rail grade crossing and trespasser-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, reduce derailments, improve the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail, and prevent rail worker fatalities.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/356

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2023-09-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/sres356/BILLS-118sres356is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:03:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.356 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.