Voters are highly critical of the federal government’s response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3.
Among likely U.S. voters, 30% rate the government’s response to the train derailment as good or excellent, while 46% rate it poor, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey
Vinyl chloride was released by the freight train, but tests showed no threats to water quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the coming weeks, a House committee will investigate the matter.
However, according to Rasmussen, only 23% of voters feel safe drinking the water near the derailment site, including only 9% who feel very safe drinking the water there. 71% of people say they would not feel safe drinking water near East Palestine, including 47% who say they would feel unsafe at all.
Rasmussen notes that distrust of the EPA’s water-quality assurances in East Palestine cuts across all political parties, but more Republicans (59%) than Democrats (37%) or unaffiliated voters (47%) are worried about drinking water near the derailment site.
Residents are rightfully terrified of the aftereffects of the derailment, which resulted in hazardous chemicals spewing everywhere.
You’ll understand why residents are terrified and skeptical of drinking the water after watching what Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance tweeted a couple of weeks while standing near the derailment site.
Meanwhile, the poll also found that 82% of voters say they have closely followed news reports on the derailment, including 49% who say they have done so very closely.
Compared to 44% of Democrats, only 15% of Republicans and 28% of unaffiliated voters think the government’s response to the train derailment was good or excellent. The government’s response to the derailment is rated poorly by 63% of Republicans, 27% of Democrats, and 48% of unaffiliated voters.
The Biden administration’s lack of response to the train derailment in East Palestine Ohio is a disgrace, and Americans nationwide have taken notice by speaking out against this shameful inaction. According to the latest poll, 46% of likely U.S. voters rate the government’s response as poor, demonstrating a clear need for help in East Palestine now. It is simply unacceptable for the administration to remain silent when Americans are in distress, and more must be done to provide assistance for those who desperately require help.
