Republicans and some local residents have criticized Biden for
not visiting earlier. The accident forced residents to abandon
their homes and many people have since suffered from rashes,
breathing problems and other ailments.
“What you will see is a president that goes out there, whether
it’s a red state, blue state, rural America, urban America, to
hear, to make sure he is a president for all, especially when
they are dealing with this awful, awful event that happened
specifically in this community," said White House spokesperson
Karine Jean-Pierre.
When asked if Biden would drink the water in the community, she
told reporters on Thursday: "The president has no concerns with
drinking water in East Palestine."
Former President Donald Trump, expected to be Biden's 2024
presidential rival, traveled to the small town near Ohio's
border with Pennsylvania about two weeks after the incident and
called the federal response a betrayal.
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, a conservative who does not
support Biden, extended the invitation to the Democratic
president, saying the visit will be good for his community.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which has yet to
submit a final report, has said 38 cars derailed on Feb. 3, 2023
and a fire damaged another dozen train cars. Residents on both
sides of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border were ordered to evacuate
because of the derailment and release of toxic chemicals.
A bipartisan bill to toughen rail-safety laws - advanced by Ohio
Senators J.D. Vance, a Republican, and Democrat Sherrod Brown -
has stalled on Capitol Hill. Biden is expected to urge Congress
to pass the measure during his visit to East Palestine.
Norfolk Southern has estimated it will cost the company more
than $800 million to clean up the hazardous chemicals, help the
community rebuild and respond to lawsuits.
(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Additional reporting by Andrea
Shalal; Editing by David Gregorio)
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