WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) issued the following statement after voting for legislation to codify a rail labor agreement. Senator Cardin also voted for a provision that would have provided seven days of sick leave for workers.

“The Senate took necessary and swift action today to avert a rail strike, which would have had immediate, far-reaching, and harmful consequences for American households, workers, and businesses. President Biden was right to call for urgent, bipartisan cooperation to get this done, and I am glad that Congress heeded the President’s call. I am disappointed, however, that too many Republicans refused to stand with workers to ensure an additional, reasonable number of paid sick days. The fight for better benefits and working conditions will continue. In the meantime, the agreement to be implemented with today’s Congressional action represents real progress, and the critical flow of commerce through our economy can continue.”  

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