Senate votes to avert rail strike; sends the legislation to Biden for his signature - NBC News

WASHINGTON — The Senate passed authorities Thursday to debar an economically catastrophic obstruction strike, 1 time aft the House approved the measure.

It present goes to President Joe Biden, who said helium "will motion the measure into law." He had pleaded with Congress to enactment swiftly, informing of large harm to proviso chains that could disrupt cleanable drinking h2o and gasoline successful an already fragile economy.

“Working together, we person spared this state a Christmas catastrophe successful our market stores, successful our workplaces, and successful our communities,” Biden said successful a connection aft the Senate vote. “I cognize that galore successful Congress shared my reluctance to override the national ratification procedures. But successful this case, the consequences of a shutdown were conscionable excessively large for moving families each crossed the country.”

The agreement, which required 60 votes, passed 80 to 15 with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voting present.

The Senate held 3 votes successful succession, each requiring 60 votes for approval.

It rejected an amendment by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, to widen the “cooling disconnected period” giving the applicable parties an other 60 days beyond the Dec. 8 deadline to support negotiating an statement betwixt unions and obstruction operators.

The Senate besides rejected an amendment championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and different Democrats to adhd 7 days of paid sick permission for obstruction workers to the agreement. The ballot was 52 to 43, falling 8 votes abbreviated of succeeding.

The "no" votes connected the sick permission measurement included 42 Republicans and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. Most Democrats voted "yes," joined by six Republicans: Sens. Mike Braun of Indiana, Ted Cruz of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Marco Rubio of Florida.

After that, the Senate voted to enforce the statement brokered by the Biden medication successful September, approving authorities that already been passed by the House. While the woody was brokered by the White House and championed arsenic a compromise, it was rejected by immoderate of the unions.

“Let maine beryllium clear. This conflict is not over,” Sanders said aft the vote, regretting the nonaccomplishment of the sick permission amendment. “At a clip of record-breaking profits for the obstruction industry, it is disgraceful that railroad workers bash not person a azygous time of paid sick leave.”

Earlier successful the day, Biden said helium would proceed to combat for paid permission aft the obstruction onslaught is averted.

“I deliberation we’re gonna get it done, but not wrong this agreement,” helium said astatine a associated quality league with French President Emmanuel Macron astatine the White House.