Senate Proceeding on Jun 2nd, 2009 :: 0:42:40 to 0:49:00
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0:42:36 to 0:42:56( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: so that rule should be out. i in the record. the presiding officer: without objection. the senator from wisconsin. mr. pr?ident. mr. president, i rise today to speak about an agreement that we

0:42:40 to 0:49:00( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Herb Kohl

0:42:57 to 0:43:17( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: have reached with senator rockefeller regarding today's planned consideration of the railroad antitrust enforcement act. before describing our agreement, i'd like to say a few words about this legislation. we believe that this legislation is essential for restoring competition to the nation's

0:43:18 to 0:43:39( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: crucial freight railroad sector. freight railroadsre essential to shipping a myriad of vital goods, everything from coal used to generate electricity to grain used for basic food stuffs. for decades the freight railroads have been insulated from the normal competition followed by almost all other parts of our economy

0:43:40 to 0:44:00( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: because of their outmoded and unwarranted antitrust exemptions exemptions. our legislation is designed to eliminate the obsolete antitrust exemptionshat protect freight railroads this bipartisan legislation has 11 cosponsors, including members of both the judiciary committee

0:44:01 to 0:44:22( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: and commerce committee, and was reported out of the judiciary committee on a unanimous 14-0 vote in march. the railroad industry's obsolete antitrust exemptions result liar prices to millions of consumers every day. consolidation in the railroad industry in recent years has

0:44:23 to 0:44:44( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: resulted in only four class-one railroads providing nearly 90% of the nation's freight rail transportation. and three decades ago, by contrast, there were 42 class-one railroads. a 2006 g.a.o. report found that shippers in many geographic areas -- quote -- "may be paying

0:44:45 to 0:45:05( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: excessive rates dmetion these markets." unquote. the ill-advised effects of these consolidations are exemplified by the high prices paid by captive shippers. namely, industries served by only one railroad. a study by the consumer federation

0:45:06 to 0:45:27( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: of america found that rail shipping rates or captive shippers, are $3 billion higher than they would be if the market was competive. these unjustified cost increases cause consumers to suffer higher electricity bills because the utility must pay for the high cost of transporting coal.

0:45:28 to 0:45:49( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: results in higher prices for goods produced by manufacturers who rely on railroads to transport raw materials. reduces earnings for american farmers who ship their products by rail. and raises food prices paid by consumers. repeal of the railroad antitrust exemptions is supported by the

0:45:50 to 0:46:12( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: attorneys general of and a wide range of consumer organizations and leading industry trade organizations, including the american public power association, the american chemistry council, the national farmers union, the american corn growers association, and the national industrial transportation league, as well

0:46:13 to 0:46:33( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: as many more. once their outmoded are removed, railroads will be subject to the same laws as the rest of the economy. government antitrust enforcers will finally have the tools to prevent anticompetive transactions and practices by railroads. likewise, private parties will be able to utilize t

0:46:34 to 0:46:54( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: antitrust -- the antitrust laws to deter anticompetive conduct and to seek redress for their grievances. on the antitrust subcommittee, we have seen in industry after industry vigorous application of our nation's antitrust laws is the best way to eliminate barriers to competion, to end

0:46:55 to 0:47:15( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: monopoly and to keep prices low and quality of service high. the railroad industry is no different. all those who really -- rely on railroads to ship their products deserve the full application of the antitrust laws to end the anticompetitive abuses all too prevalent in this industry today. and that is why i am so pleased

0:47:16 to 0:47:37( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: by the agreement that i have reached today with senator rockefeller. he has agreed to inclu necessary repeal of railroads unwarranted antitrust exemption in his comprehensive bill to reform the freight rail industry and to service transportation board when that bill is introduced in the coming weeks.

0:47:38 to 0:47:59( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: senator rockefeller has ao agreed rail reform bill will address a specific railroad practice that is of great concern to me, a practice known as paper barriers. he claims his legislation will

0:48:00 to 0:48:21( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: give the s.p.b. power to address this issue so shippers are not denied the benefit of competition in relation to these arrangements. with this agreement we avoided a potentially divisive floor support of the distinguished chairman of the commerce committee for repealing t antitrust exemptions and addressing barriers. i thank my friend from west

0:48:22 to 0:48:42( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: virginia for his compromise and as well for his support for the need to reform the freight rail system in the united states in the interest of all parties, including rail shippers and consumers. and i yield the floor a the presiding officer:

0:48:43 to 0:48:48( Edit History Discussion )

Herb Kohl: clerk will c