AAR calls on Clinton, Trump to support balanced regulation

A month before the first debate between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton (D) and Donald Trump (R), the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has sent them an open letter to outline the rail industry's place in the U.S. economy and request a balanced approach to government regulation and oversight.

AAR President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Hamberger noted in the letter than that the U.S. freight railroad industry generated $274 billion in economic activity in 2014.

The net effect of the privately operated freight railroads' contribution to U.S. commerce was $33 billion in generated taxes and 1.5 million supported jobs in 2014, he said. The industry does this by making massive investments in U.S. rail infrastructure — more than $600 billion over the past 35 years, including $30 billion in 2015.

"Therefore, I write to you a month before the first debate to outline our macro-value to the United States economy and voice the industry's support for transparent and data-driven public policy that ensures fairness and proper oversight," states the letter.

Hamberger adds that the AAR has been in touch with information for the campaigns "and will continue to do so moving forward."

To read the entire letter, click here.