December 9th is the deadline for Congress to act to prevent a nationwide railroad strike.  Four rail unions have rejected a proposal by the Biden administration, and all 12 rail unions need to agree to the terms in order to prevent a strike.  President Biden has requested Congress to step in and pass legislation that would prevent a rail strike from happening.  U-S Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa spoke on the topic during his weekly agriculture news conference.  Grassley says he is ready to take action to stop a possible railroad strike.

Grassley told reporters his is hearing of a few senators that want to stand with the rail unions for a nationwide strike, and possibly vote against the agreement.

Grassley says a shutdown of rail service could occur even before the December 9th deadline.  He says railroad companies have said they will empty tankers and other freight cars, as well as cease passenger service a week prior to the deadline.  Grassley says if a railroad strike were to occur, it would devastate the agriculture economy.