Baldwin Calls Out Trump Firing Independent Railroad Regulator as Favor to Railroad Owners and Wall Street

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Trump fired Robert Primus, Member of the Surface Transportation Board that is weighing the proposed megamerger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern:

“This is as bad as it looks: Two railroad behemoths are trying to merge – which would squash competition and jack up costs for Wisconsinites – and Donald Trump is trying to stack the deck so the federal government rubberstamps the merger as a huge favor for Wall Street and wealthy railroad owners. I have known Robert for years, and he is as fair as it gets. He has done the hard work to ensure our freight rail network delivers for rail shippers and their customers and keeps rail workers safe. That commitment to the American people and his commitment to really scrutinizing a huge merger that will impact families across America is why it appears Trump fired him.

“Robert’s job, which was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, is to be a referee and provide independent oversight of the railroad industry. Donald Trump doesn’t like the calls he is making and Trump thinks he can fire him. It’s wrong, and Wisconsin farmers, manufacturers, and families are going to pay the price.”

Robert Primus was first nominated to the Surface Transportation Board by President Trump during his first term and was unanimously confirmed twice by the U.S. Senate. Primus' second term is set to end in 2027.

The merger, in which Union Pacific agreed to acquire Norfolk Southern, would be the most significant consolidation in freight rail in decades and would undoubtedly reshape the U.S. freight rail industry and supply chain. The Surface Transportation Board began the review process for the proposed railway merger in July.

Baldwin has been critical of the rail merger, citing the continued consolidation in the railroad industry and impacts on manufacturers, agriculture, small businesses, and consumers. Senators Baldwin and Roger Marshall (R-KS) called on the Surface Transportation Board to scrutinize the impact of this merger on the already poor service and high costs experienced by American businesses and consumers that rely on freight rail.  

###