Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) June 3 said enforcement may be a priority for the surface transportation reauthorization measure being crafted for certain Transportation Department offices. Certain agencies aren't adequately enforcing laws that are on the books, which encourages noncompli-ance among regulated entities, and penalties assessed by agencies for violations are "minimal and miniscule," making them "inadequate deterrents," he said at a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee hearing. Big companies may be willing to pay the small penalties, thereby "thumb [ing] their nose at your agencies" and by extension at public health and safety, Blumenthal said at the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security hearing.
展开▼
