The House has passed legislation to block a nationwide rail strike by imposing a contract that has been rejected by unions representing the majority of freight rail workers. In addition, the House passed a separate bill by a much narrower margin to give seven days of paid sick leave to railroad workers, but it remains unclear if this provision will pass in the Senate. The vote came two days after President Biden pushed Congress to prevent the strike. On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders slammed railroad carriers for refusing to provide workers any paid sick days while their profits soar.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: “Do we stand with workers in the rail industry and say, 'Yes, you are right. Working conditions are horrendous. We cannot continue a process by which you have zero paid sick leave.' Do we stand with workers, or do we stand with an industry that is making huge profits, pays its CEOs exorbitant salaries and treats its working workers with contempt?”