CORCA Coalition Pushes DOJ to Act on Cargo Theft
Last week, ATA and coalition partners supporting the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) wrote to the Department of Justice, urging it to take advantage of resources and direction provided by Congress through the FY2026 appropriations process to target and prosecute cargo theft cases.
Congress passed the annual funding bill for DOJ in January. That bill directed the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify U.S. Attorneys with the greatest frequency of cargo theft cases in their jurisdiction and dedicate an attorney in each of those offices to prosecuting cargo theft cases. This direction is an important part of ATA’s multi-agency strategy to combat the growing scourge of cargo theft.
House Ends DHS Shutdown, Takes Step Towards Multi-Year ICE & CPB Funding
On Thursday, the House voted to end a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security by agreeing to a Senate-passed measure funding all DHS agencies except ICE and CBP. Now that agencies such as TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service will be paid, Congress will turn its attention to finalizing a multi-year funding package for immigration enforcement activities conducted by ICE and CBP. President Trump has requested that Republicans send this multi-year package to his desk by June 1.
To provide multi-year funding and circumvent the Senate filibuster, Republicans will use a budget strategy called reconciliation. Reconciliation cannot be filibustered but can only adjust tax and spending levels and cannot include substantive changes to policy. ATA will work closely with Republicans in the House and Senate to identify funding priorities that will meet the needs of the trucking industry.
House Advances Farm Bill with ATA-Supported Provision
Also on Thursday, the House voted to approve a Farm Bill. This legislation will provide comprehensive support to American farmers, including $60 billion in subsidies, improvements to crop insurance, and an extension of the Conservation Reserve Program. The bill also makes changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and increases funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development to support exports.
Notably, the bill includes a provision supported by the ATA Agriculture and Food Transporters Conference, which provides relief from California’s Proposition 12 and a patchwork of state regulations related to animal housing that complicate the movement of agriculture products and increase the end cost of food. The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration, where substantial amendments are expected.
Biodiesel Tax Credit Bill Introduced in House
Last Monday, Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced H.R. 8497, the Supporting Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Act. This bill would reinstate and extend the $1.00 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel to reduce prices and ensure the continued production of these fuels.
ATA strongly supports this bill, which is a top tax and energy policy priority. “America’s supply chain depends on reliable access to affordably priced fuels,” said ATA Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom. “Lower-carbon, cost-competitive options like biodiesel and renewable diesel are an essential piece of the puzzle. ATA commends Rep. Carey for introducing legislation that will expand the availability of these proven energy sources at the pump, giving motor carriers the certainty they need to continue to deliver three-quarters of the nation’s freight.”
Bicameral WAGES Act Introduced to Promote Apprenticeships
Last week, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support (WAGES) Act. This bill will create a refundable payroll tax credit for employers who maintain or participate in a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the Department of Labor.
ATA strongly supports this bill, with SVP of Legislative Affairs noting “A safe, efficient 21st century supply chain requires a highly trained, qualified workforce to power the trucking industry. The WAGES Act will help meet that goal by providing pathways into interstate trucking while promoting enhanced instruction that will benefit the safety of all road users. ATA applauds Sen. Todd Young and Rep. Nathaniel Moran for seeking to expand opportunities for Americans to access this rewarding, well-paying profession without the burdensome debt associated with other career tracks.”
Rep. LaHood Takes Lead on FET Repeal
On Thursday, Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) requested that he be considered the first sponsor of H.R. 2424, the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act. This bill, which would repeal the 12% federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers, was originally sponsored by the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). With Rep. LaHood taking on the leadership role for this ATA priority, new cosponsors can begin to join. Repealing the FET is a focal effort for many state trucking associations during their Calls on Washington, and ATA is working to have repeal considered during the Highway Bill reauthorization debate as well as any future tax reforms.
House Continues Writing FY27 Spending Bills
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee continued writing spending bills for the upcoming fiscal year 2027. The Committee approved the FY27 National Security-Department of State spending bill as well as the Agriculture-Rural Development spending bill. It also teed up the Commerce, Justice, Science appropriations measure for full committee consideration on May 13th. That bill will likely include key language for ATA priorities such as combating cargo theft and prosecuting criminals and organizations perpetrating those schemes. ATA will continue working with House and Senate Appropriations Committee members to ensure that the priorities of the trucking industry are addressed in these proposals at every opportunity.
Election Update
Last week, the Florida legislature passed Governor Ron DeSantis’ redrawn congressional map, which could lead to four new Republican seats. This news came shortly after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that added ambiguity around whether race can be a factor in drawing congressional districts. This ruling kicked off a flurry of activity in southern states evaluating redistricting opportunities. While the full impact of this on the 2026 election remains unclear, Republican and Democrat party officials are actively strategizing opportunities to redraw their districts to be all red or all blue for the 2028 election.
On Tuesday, May 5th, Indiana and Ohio will hold their primaries. All eyes are on Republican turnout to see if candidates can meet Trump’s 2024 turnout waterline. Of note, many are watching the Ohio Senate race as it could be one of Democrats’ few opportunities to flip a seat this cycle. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who was appointed to fill now Vice President J.D. Vance’s seat, is expected to face the previous Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) in November. Brown served 18 years in the Senate before losing to Sen. Bernie Moreno (R) in 2024.
Committee Notes
- On Tuesday, April 28th, House Education and Workforce Committee Democrats sent a letter to the Department of Labor asking DOL to withdraw the proposed rule that would protect the two-factor independent contractor test. ATA worked closely with the Department of Labor to advance this proposed rule and will push back against this discourse.
- On Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testified in front of the House Energy & Commerce Environment Subcommittee and the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on his FY27 budget request. Numerous Republican members thanked Zeldin for his efforts to roll back unworkable one-size-fits-all regulations.
- Additionally, on Wednesday, April 29th, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on AI’s impact on the grid. Representatives discussed industry experts’ strategies to balance necessary advancements in AI technology with cost and reliability concerns.
- Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) celebrated the bipartisan passage of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s pipeline safety program reauthorization. The legislation includes updates to pipeline safety regulations to better facilitate the transport of oil, gas, and other hazardous liquids across the U.S.
Grassroots Update
Tomorrow, Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) will visit Cargo Transporters for a terminal visit and roundtable discussion with the North Carolina Trucking Association. Additionally, Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) will visit a small trucking company to talk about affordability issues the trucking industry is facing. Both conversations will serve as great venues to share the impact of lawsuit abuse on business operations.
The California Trucking Association will be the next group to visit Capitol Hill on May 12th. 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
Both the House and Senate are out of session this week. The next Hill Report will be sent on May 18th.