Freight transportation is the driving force of national development.
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Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections, ATA will play a significant role in the nation’s capital.
This week, I had the honor to take the stage for the tenth time as President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) at the Management Conference and Exhibition. Over the past decade, we have witnessed substantial changes within our association and across the entire industry. We’ve navigated through pandemics, political turbulence, economic booms and busts, and shifting regulatory and legal landscapes—while successfully advancing a broadly supported freight agenda grounded in common sense.
The conference arrives at a critical juncture for our nation’s political crossroads. In three weeks, we will know the direction the country is heading. Regardless of the outcome, ATA is prepared to play a pivotal role throughout this process. We will lead discussions and drive results because our narrative is the foundation that rides the wave. Our message is accessible to all, serving as the starting point for every idea and possibility, not just an afterthought.
As we tell our story at the highest levels of government, we also resonate with ordinary Americans. If there’s one issue that captures their attention, it’s the daily economic realities they face. We understand the choices people make in local stores—the prices they pay and why costs keep rising. We comprehend the everyday pressures faced by American households because we are those families. Our 8.5 million employees do not just transport goods; we support hardworking Americans who rely on freight to keep the nation running smoothly.
This is the message we convey daily to Congress. This year, at Capitol Hill, the ATA coalition is poised to set a record for the most meetings with Washington officials in history. Since January when Congress convened, we have held 354 meetings, and more states will join post-meeting efforts to continue pushing forward.
These efforts are bearing fruit. The fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill is laden with ATA strategic priorities, including authorization of $200 million for truck parking projects, combating cargo theft and improper trailer practices, enhancing safety driver apprentice programs, advancing hair testing initiatives, halting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s action on meal and rest break exemptions in California, preventing the U.S. Department of Labor from implementing its independent contractor, joint employer, and oversight rules, and blocking the EPA from advancing its Phase 3 greenhouse gas rule. These provisions are ready to be addressed when Congress reconvenes post-elections.
Beyond appropriations, we continue to push pro-trucking legislation through the legislative process. The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act—a bill championed by ATA to reform background check procedures—passed a House committee last month and is one step closer to becoming law. Additionally, Congress passed and the President signed into law legislation that improves access for military veterans to commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs. In an environment where legislative paralysis makes it difficult to support passage, the progress of ATA priorities demonstrates our influence and advocacy effectiveness.
But our work is far from over; the agenda remains challenging. Union leaders are emboldened by rare strikes with the backing of the current President, Vice President, and Acting Labor Secretary. Un-elected state regulatory commissions and agencies enforce extreme, unattainable environmental and labor standards that threaten our industry and supply chains. And there are litigators targeting our industry, influencing juries to chase exorbitant settlements to satisfy their greed.
Despite these threats, we know a future and achievable path exists for our members alongside ATA. Our priorities are not only grounded in common sense and data but also actionable. Our contributions to the supply chain make freight an ideal partner for policymakers.
Therefore, I urge you to commit to amplifying our story and stand with ATA to advocate on your behalf. Together, we can shape the future of freight and ensure it continues as the engine driving America’s economy. This is the essence of the member-centric approach at ATA. With your support, our industry will remain a driving force for national development.
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Source: Transport Topics
