House Releases Highway Bill Proposal
Late last night, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released the text of its proposed surface transportation reauthorization. The BUILD America 250 Act will provide for the operations of DOT agencies for five years. Key priorities for the trucking industry in the bipartisan bill include robust funding for highways and bridges, dedicated investments in truck parking, extension of workforce development programs for the next generation of truck drivers, and important safety provisions.
The Committee is currently planning to debate and amend the bill on Thursday. Following Committee approval, the bill will then be debated on the House floor. The committees of jurisdiction in the Senate have yet to reveal their own proposals for federal transportation programs. With reauthorization due on September 30th, Congress will likely have to provide a short-term extension if work is to be completed this year.
ATA Hails House Passage of CORCA
Last Tuesday, the House passed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a bill championed by ATA, with a resounding bipartisan vote of 348-60. This legislation will provide definitions and coordination that are necessary for federal agencies to support state and local law enforcement and industry stakeholders in combating the scourge of cargo theft.
To support CORCA, ATA marshaled a broad coalition of trucking and supply chain stakeholders including rail, retail, agriculture, and other perspectives. The bill must now be approved by the Senate, where it has strong bipartisan support including sponsorships by both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee.
Senate Republicans Begin Process to Advance CBP, ICE Funding
This week, Senate Republicans will hold a “vote-a-rama” to process amendments to a partisan measure that will provide $72 billion to fund operations for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for three years. The most contentious portion of the reconciliation bill is $1 billion that was proposed for security improvements related to the renovation of the East Wing of the White House. Once the Senate passes its bill, the House will swiftly move to consider the measure and send it to the President’s desk.
Cargo Theft Funding Included in House DOJ Spending Bill
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved a FY2027 spending bill that provides funding for the Department of Justice. Within the bill, the Committee specifically included two key provisions for trucking: $2 million for DOJ to establish coordinated task forces with DHS, DOT, and other law enforcement to combat cargo theft, and $2 million for the prosecution of cargo theft cases by the U.S. Attorneys Offices in key jurisdictions. ATA strongly supports these provisions and looks forward to advancing these bills through the FY2027 appropriations process.
Duffy to Testify Before Senate Next Week
On Thursday, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy is scheduled to testify before the House Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee on the agency’s budget request for FY2027. Duffy is expected to address how DOT will address key pieces of prior year appropriations, including distributing $200 million in dedicated funding for the construction of safe truck parking and improved enforcement of English-language proficiency requirements.
Bipartisan Senate Bill Introduced to Ban Chinese Vehicles, Components
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, which will place limits on the import, sale, and operation of vehicles manufactured in China and ban the use of Chinese-developed connected vehicle technologies, was introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) on April 29th. The goal of the legislation is to protect the American auto industry from the existential threat of predatory Chinese automobiles and technology. ATA is monitoring this bill and the downstream impacts of the proposal on accessing technologies and parts that benefit heavy-duty trucking.
House Bill Introduced to Fight Scammers Victimizing Truckers
Last week, Reps. Mari Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Dave Taylor (R-OH) introduced a bill that will bring an end to scammers who are taking advantage of truckers by scaring them into paying money for federal services that are actually free. Truckers from the Congresswoman’s district notified her that they were receiving misleading letters that mimic official documents from federal agencies, demanding payment for services including simple renewals or registrations. The bill must next be considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
ATA ACC-Supported Bill Introduced on Warning Flags
On May 7th, Congressman Tom Barrett (R-MI) introduced a bill supported by ATA’s Automobile Carriers Conference, which would make permanent an FMCSA exemption for stinger-steered auto haulers from installing warning flags on overhanging vehicles. This commonsense exemption ensures that vehicles, which have reflective bumpers under federal motor vehicle safety regulations, are not damaged by warning flags in transit. ATA will work to increase cosponsorships for this legislation and introduce a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.
Veterans Transition to Trucking Act Teed Up for House Approval
This week, the House may take up a bill strongly supported by ATA that will make it easier to obtain agency approvals for apprenticeship programs to help veterans enter the trucking industry. The Veterans Transition to Trucking Act is sponsored by Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA) and would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to act as the sole approving agency for these apprenticeship programs for interstate motor carriers, rather than delegating approvals to state VA agencies. The bill can be approved by a 2/3 majority vote.
Election Update
Last week, South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana took formal steps to redistrict before their primaries. The new maps are expected to target the Democrat districts of Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Cleo Fields (D-LA). Following Tennessee’s redistricting announcement and a new, younger Democrat challenger who has been gaining momentum, 10-term Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) announced he will not seek reelection.
Last Tuesday, May 12th, Nebraska and West Virginia held their primaries. Of note, following the Democratic results in Nebraska, Independent candidates emerged for the Senate and NE-01 races. 2024 candidate Dan Osborn has the State Democrats’ endorsement over Cindy Burbank, who was the party’s primary winner. For Nebraska’s 1st district, Rep. Mike Flood (R) will face both former diplomat Chris Backemeyer (D) and progressive journalist Austin Ahlman (I).
On Saturday, May 16th, Louisiana held only their Senate primary as the state works through redistricting for the House seats. Congresswoman Julia Letlow prevailed in the three-way primary, defeating Senator Bill Cassidy (R).
This Tuesday, the following states will hold their primaries as planned: Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.
Committee Notes
- On Wednesday, May 13th, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing with utility regulators and energy policy experts on opportunities for regulation to modernize and expand the output of domestic energy. This hearing comes at an opportune time as many Americans see their energy and gas prices increasing.
- Also on Wednesday, the House Financial Services Committee held a markup to advance six bills focused on addressing AI-enabled financial crime and modernizing the Federal Reserve’s technology. Most of the bills were passed unanimously.
- Looking ahead, the House Transportation & Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a DOT budget hearing with DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, followed by the related subcommittee markup on Thursday, May 21st.
Grassroots Update
Last week, the California Trucking Association met with 40 of their 52 offices in their delegation while they were in town for their Call on Washington. Coming from a state that suffers from some of the highest rates of cargo theft, the group thanked numerous members of the delegation for supporting CORCA and then pivoted to other legislative efforts to combat fraud in the trucking industry. Of note, the group met with both Sens. Alex Padilla (D) and Adam Schiff (D) as well as Reps. Lou Correa (D), Vince Fong (D), Kevin Kiley (I), and David Valadao (R).
Following Congressman Pat Harrigan’s (R-NC) visit to Cargo Transporters, Inc., he signed onto all of ATA’s legislation focused on addressing lawsuit abuse. This is a testament to the power of constituent advocacy.
Looking ahead, the Arkansas Trucking Association will be in town on June 2nd. 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 in session this week. The next Hill Report will be sent on May 26th.