On the heels of the first presidential debate in which Secretary Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump spared over the best path forward for the U.S. economy, freight railroads today illustrate how balanced economic regulations and overall smart public policy can revitalize an entire industry. But with multiple proposed rules threatening to upend this success against the backdrop of seismic changes in the market, our next president must recognize the intelligent regulatory framework that has allowed the rail sector to become an economic engine for our country.

America’s freight rail industry plays a significant role in driving the national economy, with a recent study showing that in 2014 the industry generated close to $274 billion in economic activity while supporting nearly 1.5 million jobs across the country.