In a rare show of bipartisanship, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fl., and Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-Ny. agreed that rail workers should have more say in a deal to stave off a strike that could cost the United States up to $2 billion a day.
In the end, Rubio outflanked Cortez and most members of ‘The Squad’ by voting against a deal to end the strike, believing it did not sufficiently satisfy the demands of rail workers.
The strike would have an outsize impact ahead of the holidays as Americans reliant on rail and air travel to have gifts and other holiday items delivered would see commerce largely grind to a halt.
“Let me be clear: A nationwide rail shutdown would be catastrophic,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said ahead of a vote to avert the rail strike on Wednesday. “A shutdown would grind our economy to a halt, and every family would feel the strain.”
The strike was caused by frustration from rail workers about a lack of paid sick days, and both Rubio and Cortez agreed that the strike should be ended by an agreement that included rail workers’ input.
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