By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday criticized Union Pacific's plan to acquire Norfolk Southern in a $85 billion deal that would create the first U.

Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad will strengthen U.S. supply chain, economy, and domestic manufacturing; preserve union jobs.

The merger would create the United States’ first coast-to-coast rail network, spanning 50,000 miles and 43 states.