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Appearances (2)
2026-09-17
SPECIAL BRIEFING: Opposition grows to Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail mergerIn a special briefing on the Powering America Podcast, host Bryan Hyde discusses growing opposition to the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Critics, including state attorneys general, agricultural organizations, and labor unions, argue the merger could reduce competition, increase shipping costs, and threaten jobs, while the companies claim it would enhance service and efficiency. The merger requires approval from the Federal Surface Transportation Board, which will assess its impact on competition and public interest.
2026-06-04
SPECIAL BRIEFING: Can Texas avert the last flight of the Heartland Flyer?The Powering America Podcast episode discusses the future of the Heartland Flyer, an Amtrak train connecting Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas. Despite achieving record ridership and revenue, the train faces potential shutdown due to Texas not securing funding in its budget. The episode highlights the significance of the Heartland Flyer as a vital transportation option for many residents and its role in events like the annual Red River Rivalry football game.
Notable quotes
“The Heartland Flyer just had a record year, carrying a record eighty thousand seven hundred sixty-seven passengers.”
“The irony writes itself. Demand has never been higher. The product is working, and the thing standing between this train and the tracks isn't ridership, it's an appropriation that didn't get made.”
“For people who can't drive, can't afford to, or simply won't, if they want to take surface transportation down to the Fort Worth area, the Heartland Flyer is the one other choice they've got.”
“Lose the train and a lot of those trips don't disappear, they just move onto the highway, into the traffic and the fuel bills.”
“With Texas pulling its share of the money and the long-term future of the whole route in question, the Big Game Train is one of the things that could disappear.”
“The Heartland Flyer is more popular than it ever has been. Oklahoma has paid its share. Texas has not.”
“Opposition is growing to the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, an approximately $85 billion transaction that would create America's first coast-to-coast freight railroad.”
“Opponents fear that combining Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would reduce those options and give the merged railroad greater control over rates and service.”
“Public opinion may present another challenge for the two railroads, with 55% of likely midterm election voters initially opposed to the merger.”
“State attorneys general, rail workers, agricultural organizations, manufacturers, freight customers, and competing railroads warned that the merger could reduce competition, increase shipping costs, threaten jobs, and leave American businesses with fewer transportation choices.”
“The coalition argues that the transaction would give one railroad control over nearly half of American rail traffic, reduce transportation choices, and weaken the resilience of the national supply chain.”
“The attorneys general argued that the merger is unnecessary and could undermine the competitive and efficient rail service available to American shippers.”
