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H.R. 6707: Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act

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H.R. 6707: Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act

110th Congress · introduced 2008-07-31 · Transportation and Public Works · Latest: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 243 - 175 (Roll no. 663).

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2008-07-31 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 663 (2008): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR6707 (2008-09-27), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 243 - 175 (Roll no. 663). (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act

Plain summary

Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act - Revises requirements with respect to the consolidation, merger, or acquisition of control (transaction) involving rail carriers to require public hearings in the affected communities if public hearings on a proposed transaction are held. Requires the Surface Transportation Board, in a proceeding with respect to a transaction that involves at least one Class I railroad (under current law, involving the merger or control of at least two Class I railroads), to consider the effect on the public interest, including the safety and environmental effect of the proposed merger on local communities, intercity rail passenger transportation, and commuter rail passenger transportation. Prohibits the Board from approving mergers if their impacts on safety and on all affected communities outweigh their transportation benefits. Authorizes the Board to impose conditions to mitigate the effect of mergers on local communities. Declares that the amendments made by this Act are to be applied to all transactions that have not been approved by the Board as of August 1, 2008.

Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House with amendment(s)), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House with amendment(s))

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] · 22 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6707, Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act (2008-10-24); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6707, Taking Responsible Action for Community Safety Act (2008-10-24)

Cosponsors on this site

Bill Foster (D-IL), Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

Recorded votes

Sources

Record fed-us-cong110-hr6707 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110