New bipartisan caucus targets trucking reform

Harrigan said the caucus “gives truckers a voice in Congress when policies are written that directly impact their safety, their income, and their ability to keep goods moving. We’re focused on recruiting the next generation of drivers, investing in highways and rest stops that actually work, and cutting red tape that costs time and money without improving safety.”

Figures, whose district represents the Port of Mobile, said trucking will be essential to the port’s growth, “so it is imperative that we recognize how important trucking is to our economy, national resilience, and everyday lives.”

Among the initial backers of the caucus are the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and Trans American Trucking, a South Plainfield, New Jersey-based heavy-haul specialist.

“We look forward to working with the caucus to help Congress understand the realities of the road and to advance practical policies that support professional drivers and highway safety, including improving truck parking, strengthening training standards, and ensuring that only qualified drivers get behind the wheel,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer in a press release.

“As the owner of a heavy haul trucking company, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our industry faces daily,” said Craig McGraw, Trans American Trucking’s vice president of sales and marketing. “I’m grateful to Rep. Taylor for listening to our concerns and taking action by creating the Congressional Trucking Caucus to address these issues.”

Related articles:

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• Crackdown on truck driver English proficiency gains steam in Congress
• DOT advisors push massive freight tunnel, truck-parking projects
• Feds call out New York as ‘worst offender’ of illegal CDLs

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.