The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.1979 Senate Hearings on Railroad Deregulation (S. 796)
Record date · July 20, 2026
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What This Bill Does
This document is a transcript of the third part of Senate hearings regarding the Railroad Act of 1979 (S. 796). It records testimony and discussions before the on Surface Transportation concerning proposed changes to federal railroad oversight.
The hearings document the legislative process for S. 796, which proposed significant changes to how the federal government regulates railroad rates, services, and competition, impacting the national logistics and freight industry.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Railroad industry companies
The proposed legislation would change federal oversight of their rates and operational practices.
Freight shippers
Changes to railroad regulation would impact the costs and availability of shipping services.
Key Facts
- The document is Part 3 of a series of hearings regarding S. 796.
- The hearings were held during the first session of the 96th Congress.
- The primary focus is the proposed deregulation of the railroad industry.
- The proceedings were conducted by the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transition to Market-Based Rail Regulation
The hearings represent a pivotal moment in the shift from heavy federal rate regulation to market-based pricing for the railroad industry.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz5Current news / social attention level
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