Perhaps Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has been urged to seize a political opportunity by using trigger words such as “Biden administration,” “coal” and fossil fuels “that the radical green movement hates.”

But for those wondering what would spark such political opportunism, it bears reminding — Cruz was grasping for excuses to oppose much-needed rail safety legislation.

Inspired by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the bill would increase inspections of trains carrying hazardous materials, require the use of technology to detect track defects, and increase penalties on railroad companies for crashes.

“There will be another East Palestine in this country if we do not pass the Railway Safety Act. It’s that simple,” said Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.

Another East Palestine would mean another incident in which people are driven from their homes, evacuated due to the risk of exposure to deadly chemicals or an explosion. And it would mean ensuing years of uncertainty.

There has been much bipartisan wrangling to pull together this bill.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., joined Vance in voting for the bill in committee. East Palestine was only one in a series of railroad failures that brought to light the need for stronger safety measures for the industry.