(NAFB) – The Agricultural Retailers Association applauded Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Reliable Rail Service Act.

“ARA appreciates Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) for leading legislative efforts to address the continuous rail service problems faced by our industry,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “Those challenges have caused supply chain disruptions and negatively impacted other shippers within the agricultural industry.”

The retailers want Congress to tackle head-on the significant cost increases and service disruptions that harm the businesses of its ag retailer members and their farmer customers who rely on freight rail transportation to deliver the critical crop input products to feed and fuel the nation. Common carrier obligations still lack a clear definition.

“This proposal will provide some needed clarity to the common carrier obligation, improve the Surface Transportation Board’s oversight authority and help ensure railroads provide a reliable service at reasonable rates for shippers, which ultimately benefits consumers,” says Coppock.