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House Hails National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 

Last week, members of the House of Representatives , in celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Reps. Dave Taylor (R-OH), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Mary Miller (R-IL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), and Troy Nehls (R-TX) were joined by Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in issuing statements hailing the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice of America’s professional drivers. 

Along with the statements of support, Reps. Taylor, Hageman, Shomari Figures (D-AL), and Laura Gillen (D-NY) introduced H. Res. 1535, a resolution designating the week as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.  

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� is grateful for the bipartisan support of trucking and the leadership of the Congressional Trucking Caucus in advancing legislation to improve the lives of truckers across the country. 

�Ͼ�Ʒ��-Supported Bills Passed by Bipartisan Votes in House 

Last Tuesday, the House passed two pieces of bipartisan legislation supported by �Ͼ�Ʒ��. The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, sponsored by Reps. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA), passed by a vote of 343-79. This bill will provide funding for the DERA program at EPA through 2029, to provide grants to help finance the voluntary replacement or retrofit of older diesel equipment for new, cleaner models.  

Following that vote, the House also approved the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Efficiency (TWICE) Act by voice vote. The bill, led by Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA) and Clay Higgins (R-LA), will lower recidivism by providing citizens emerging from the criminal justice system with access to credentialing to seek employment in the transportation sector.  

These bills must still be approved by the Senate. �Ͼ�Ʒ�� will work with the sponsors to advance these commonsense measures to the President’s desk.

Treasury Sec. Bessent Commits to Working on Third-Party Litigation Financing 

During his testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent committed to Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) that he will work with Congress to address tax loopholes around proceeds from third-party litigation financing. on the issue, calling it “a malignancy within our legal and financial system.” 

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� is leading the fight on Capitol Hill to educate lawmakers about how third-party litigation financing is creating enormous challenges for America’s trucking industry. Working with champions to advance bills to increase disclosure and close tax loopholes for third-party litigation financing arrangements will ensure that trucking companies are treated fairly in American courts.

Senate EPW Advances Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act

Last week, the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee approved the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act, sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). This bill would provide flexibility to truckers and heavy equipment operators in extreme weather conditions.  

Under current EPA regulations, these vehicles are required to use emission control systems that rely on diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which freezes at just 12 degrees Farenheit and can sometimes fail to reach proper operating temperatures in extreme conditions even if the engine is working normally.  

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� is closely monitoring this legislation and working with champions in the House and Senate to advance legislative proposals that complement EPA efforts to provide needed flexibility and ensure the safety of drivers in extreme conditions.  

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� Joins Alliance to Protect Lower 900 MHz Band 

Last week, �Ͼ�Ʒ�� joined a broad coalition of American industries in launching the SpecTech Alliance to protect a portion of the broadband spectrum that is vital to trucking companies of all sizes as well as retailers, utilities, and other key transportation modes.  

The Alliance formed in opposition to NextNav, Inc.'s petition to upend the Lower 900 MHz Band (902–928 MHz), which is pending before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and to protect billions of dollars in investment. 

“Creating a resilient, secure alternative to GPS is the right objective, but NextNav’s proposal takes the wrong approach,” said �Ͼ�Ʒ�� Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom.  “Motor carriers have invested heavily in communications networks, safety systems, tracking, and other technologies that depend on reliable access to the 900 MHz Band.  Squeezing out these established devices would create operational disruptions, undermine proven safety measures, and increase costs throughout the supply chain.  The FCC should demand that NextNav go back to the drawing board to find a solution that does not come at the expense of existing users.”

DOL Nominee Sonderling Awaits Senate Confirmation 

Keith Sonderling, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Secretary of Labor, continues to await his confirmation by the Senate. The nomination was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee in July, with strong support from �Ͼ�Ʒ��. As Secretary, Sonderling will bring deep workforce expertise, strong policy judgment, and agency management experience that is important to Departmental consideration of key issues impacting the trucking industry. �Ͼ�Ʒ�� urges the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible. 

Election Update 

Last week, Delaware held the final state primary on the road to the midterm election. Senator Chris Coons (D) faced little competition in the Democrat primary and will now face Mike Katz (R) in November. Joe Armino (R) won the Republican primary and will face Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D).

Committee Notes 

• On Tuesday, September 15th, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advanced various bills related to drone safety, rural airport infrastructure, aviation policies, and the Coast Guard’s cybersecurity needs.  
• Additionally on Tuesday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, and Enforcement held a hearing with witnesses who were negatively impacted by sanctuary cities' immigration practices. The witnesses included family members who have lost loved ones to  truck crashes in California where the drivers were found to be illegal immigrants who had obtained commercial driver’s licenses.  
• On Wednesday, September 16th, the House Energy & Commerce Committee advanced 16 bills to promote innovation and U.S. competitiveness. Of note, the Committee advanced the Open-Source AI Leadership Act (H.R. 10152), which directs the Department of Commerce to play a more active role in promoting the adoption of American open-source AI models. 
• Also on Wednesday, the House Ways & Means Committee held a markup to advance bills related to tax refund fraud prevention, Alzheimer screening and Medicare programs, federal action to combat forced labor when mining cobalt, and additional resources for expectant mothers.  
• In the Senate on Wednesday, the Commerce Committee marked up numerous bills related to professional athletes, college sports, AI-assisted attacks, and recognizing the Great Lakes Commission.  
• Looking ahead, on Wednesday, September 23rd, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the Flock AI Surveillance network.  

Grassroots Update

Last week, the Moving & Storage Conference brought 60 attendees from 22 states to Washington, D.C. to discuss pressing issues for the moving industry. The group participated in 80 meetings to provide updates on programmatic changes for military moves, the need to reinstitute the moving tax deduction, moving fraud, lawsuit abuse, and the burdens of the cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) on small businesses. During the group’s meetings, the House Small Business Committee advanced the Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act (H.R. 10238), which aims to help small businesses successfully navigate the CMMC program.  

Of note, the group met with Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL), David McCormick (R-PA), Todd Young (R-IN), and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Reps. Mark Messmer (R-IN), Ed Case (D-HI), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ). The Executive Committee also held productive meetings with key Republican and Democratic committee staff members from House Armed Services, House Judiciary, House Transportation & Infrastructure, Senate Judiciary, Senate Commerce, and Senate Housing, Banking, and Urban Affairs. 

�Ͼ�Ʒ��’s Call on Washington program will return the week of November 16th with numerous state associations in town for the final Call on Washington of the 119th Congress. Interested in participating in Call on Washington or hosting a truck terminal visit with your Member of Congress?  Email Abbey Schroeder (aschroeder@trucking.org).

The Week Ahead

The House has adjourned until after the November midterm Congressional elections, but the Senate is in session this week. The next Hill Report will be sent on September 28th.