Congressman Taylor and Colleagues Launch Congressional Trucking Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Dave Taylor (OH-02) and Representatives Shomari Figures (AL-02), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), and Mary Miller (IL-15) today announced their roles as Co-Chairs in the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Trucking Caucus. This caucus will provide an organized forum to address a variety of issues related to America’s trucking industry and the policies that promote integrity, safety, and growth in the industry, as well as an educational resource for caucus members. This marks the first Congressional Trucking Caucus in United States history.
“Generating nearly $906 billion in revenue in 2024, America’s trucking industry powers our economy by creating 8.4 million jobs and securing American supply chains,” said Representative Taylor. “After several tragic accidents occurred recently because of CDL drivers who could not read the road signs, it’s evident that change is needed to protect American lives on the road. I’m proud to launch the Congressional Trucking Caucus alongside my colleagues to create a forum for discussing policy solutions to keep all drivers safe on American roads, support hardworking truck drivers, and ensure the accessibility of reliable transportation across our Nation.”
"America literally runs on the wheels of our truckers. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to prioritize this industry that is the lifeline of our country,” said Representative Figures. “Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District is home to the Port of Mobile, which is now the deepest in the Gulf. Trucking will be essential to maximizing the port’s potential, so it is imperative that we recognize how important trucking is to our economy, national resilience, and everyday lives.”
"American truckers are the backbone of our supply chain. Challenges such as burdensome regulations, an increase in illegal CDL holders, and safety concerns impact communities across the nation. By launching the Congressional Trucking Caucus, we will continue supporting the trucking industry by advancing policies that promote road safety, a reliable supply chain, and a thriving trucking workforce,” said Representative Hageman. “This is especially important for Wyoming, where trucking plays a vital role both in our energy and agriculture sectors and has historically provided a reliable income on which many Wyoming entrepreneurs have relied. A robust trucking industry strengthens our economy, and I am proud to help lead this Caucus.”
"I'm proud to co-chair the Congressional Trucking Caucus because this industry is the backbone of our economy and it's getting squeezed from every direction. Truckers move 72% of America's freight, but they're dealing with a driver shortage, aging infrastructure that's dangerous to navigate, and regulations written by people who've never spent a day behind the wheel,” said Representative Harrigan. "As someone who built a business from scratch, I understand what it's like when Washington makes your job harder instead of easier. This 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. America depends on truckers every single day, and they deserve leaders who fight for them instead of adding to their burden."
“I’m pleased to join the Congressional Trucking Caucus and focus on the difficult real-world issues truckers deal with constantly,” said Representative LaMalfa. “In rural areas especially, trucking isn’t optional. It’s how goods get to shelves, raw materials get to farms, and farms get their products to market. If you got it, a truck brought it. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure truckers can keep moving.”
“American truckers keep our economy moving, delivering the goods that fuel our homes, businesses, and communities every single day. It’s an honor to serve as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Trucking Caucus, and I’m committed to putting our truckers first. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance policies that strengthen this critical industry, improve safety on our roads, and ensure America’s truckers have the support they need to keep our nation running,” said Representative Miller.
Supporting organizations of the bipartisan Congressional Trucking Caucus are the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the Fracht Group, the Trans American Trucking Association, the American Trucking Association (ATA), the Truckload Carriers Association, and the Ohio Trucking Association.
“OOIDA welcomes the creation of the Congressional Trucking Caucus and appreciates the leadership of Congressman Taylor and Congresswoman Hageman in giving small-business truckers and professional drivers a stronger voice in Washington. More than 70 percent of America’s freight moves exclusively by truck, and nearly all freight touches a truck at some point. Truckers have a shared interest in improving road safety for all motorists, and our members have first-hand experience with what must be done to make this happen,” said Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA. “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.”
“This is a great idea, and I think it will help further efficient transportation amongst the states, especially on the federal highway network,” said Mark Lockwood, Vice President of Key Account and Corporate Counsel of the Fracht Group. “We are in the specialized cargo industry and see many inconsistencies between the states in moving vital equipment for the energy industry.”
"As the owner of a heavy haul trucking company, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our industry faces daily. I’m grateful to Rep. Taylor for listening to our concerns and taking action by creating the Congressional Trucking Caucus to address these issues,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Craig McGraw of Trans American Trucking.
“America’s trucking industry is essential to our economy, our national security, and our way of life. Over 8.4 million hardworking Americans deliver more than three-quarters of the nation’s freight, and 80 percent of communities rely solely on trucks to receive their goods,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the ATA. “The American Trucking Associations commends Reps. Taylor and Figures for forming this bipartisan caucus that will prioritize issues important to truckers. We look forward to working with them to expand the Congressional Trucking Caucus’ size and influence on Capitol Hill and to advance legislation that will help keep our industry strong for the long haul.”
“The Truckload Carriers Association applauds Congressman Taylor and the co-chairs for launching the Congressional Trucking Caucus. America’s truckload carriers are vital to our economy and communities, and we appreciate the caucus’s commitment to engaging directly with the men and women who keep our economy running,” said Jim Ward, President and CEO of the Truckload Carriers Association. “We look forward to working with the caucus to address the industry’s most pressing challenges, strengthen supply chain resilience, and advance practical, safety-focused policies that support professional drivers and the carriers they represent.”
“Putting together members of Congress with a vested interest in the transportation of goods in this country is an admirable idea, and we commend Representative Taylor, Hageman, Harrigan, Miller, LaMalfa, and Figures for their leadership on this issue. Here in Ohio, the Ohio Trucking Caucus is a successful proof of concept that has yielded excellent results,” said President and CEO Thomas Balzer of the Ohio Trucking Association.
The letter announcing the launch of the Congressional Trucking Caucus is available here.