Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw faced a Senate grilling Thursday as Washington lawmakers held their first hearing on railroad safety about a month after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper, D-Del. pointedly asked Shaw: "Yes or no: Will you commit that Norfolk Southern will be there for as long as it takes to make East Palestine, Ohio, Darlington Township in Pennsylvania, and the surrounding communities whole from this disaster?"

"I'm terribly sorry for the impact this derailment has had on the folks of that community. And yes, it's my personal commitment that's Norfolk Southern that we're going to be there for as long as it takes to help East Palestine thrive and recover. That's my personal commitment," Shaw responded during a hearing that spanned more than three hours.

"I am determined to make this right. Norfolk Southern will claim the site safely, thoroughly and with urgency. You have my personal commitment," he said earlier in his opening statement.