ATA Testifies on Technology in Transportation
Last Tuesday, ATA President & CEO Chris Spear testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation at a hearing titled “The Need for Speed: How Technological Advances are Driving Transportation Innovation.”
Spear offered six recommendations for Congress to promote safety and efficiency, from repealing the 12% FET to setting clear federal standards.
Members of the Committee highlighted the importance of maintaining American leadership in autonomous vehicle development, protecting the transportation workforce from displacement by automation, and reducing distracted and impaired driving among all road users.
This hearing was an opportunity for the trucking industry to highlight key technology policy priorities in advance of Senate consideration of the next Highway Bill, which is due by September 30th.
House Appropriators Approve Key Trucking Priorities
Following the House Appropriations Committee approving $200 million for truck parking and other pro-trucking priorities in the transportation funding bill, the Committee took up bills last week that fund the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS). The Committee approved both measures, which included additional ATA-supported provisions.
The Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (LHHS) spending bill included language that will require HHS to produce scientific and technical guidance for the use of hair testing as a means of detecting drug use among CMV drivers. This has been a priority for ATA for years and strengthens Congressional direction to the agency that was enacted last year. Additionally, the Homeland Security spending bill included $2 million for DHS to establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center. This federal center is vital to combating the growing scourge of cargo theft.
House Passes Faster Labor Contracts Act
Last Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act, sending it to the Senate for approval. ATA urged opposition to this bill, which is a key provision of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act that has been a long-running legislative priority for unions and Democrats. In particular, this bill would force a mandatory, expedited process for reaching first union contracts that could include binding arbitration.
This proposal could have a detrimental effect on trucking as well as other industries. ATA will continue working with champions of the trucking industry in Congress to defeat the bill when it comes before the Senate.
President Signs 3-Year CBP, ICE Funding into Law
Last week, President Trump signed a party-line bill into law that will provide funding for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement (ICE) operations at the Department of Homeland Security for the next three years. These were the lone remaining agencies that had not received funding for fiscal year 2026. Congress will now turn its full attention to work on funding all other agencies for fiscal year 2027.
Election Update
Last Tuesday, June 9th, primary elections were held in Maine, North Dakota, Nevada, and South Carolina. Notable election results include:
- Maine – Controversial Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) sailed to victory and will face battle-tested Senator Susan Collins (R) in one of the closest watched races.
- Nevada – In the 2nd district, Trump-endorsed Air Force veteran David Flippo defeated former state Senator James Settelmeyer to fill retiring Rep. Mark Amodei’s seat.
- South Carolina – Senator Lindsey Graham (R) fended off a runoff for this reelection. In the 1st district to fill retiring Rep. Nancy Mace’s seat, Charleston County councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt (R) and state Rep. Mark Smith (R) weren’t as lucky. They will advance to a runoff.
Oklahoma will hold their primary election this week.
Committee Notes
- On Tuesday, June 9th, House Education & Workforce Charman Tim Walberg (R-MI) expressed his support for Rep. Burgess Owens’ bill H.R. 7892, No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026, on the House floor. This bill would give the Department of Education the tools necessary to strengthen oversight of student aid fraud. The bill passed the House 249 – 172 and now heads to the Senate.
- On Tuesday, June 9th, the House Energy & Commerce Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on Nuclear Permitting Reform to review ways to make nuclear licensing more efficient and predictable.
- On Wednesday, June 10th, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing for Brett Matsumoto’s nomination to be Commissioner at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and two additions to the National Labor Relations Board.
- Tomorrow, June 16th, the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Education & the American Family will hold a hearing on the use of artificial intelligence in K-12 education.
- This Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs (HSGAC) will hold a hearing on a group of nominees including David Cummins, who has been nominated to serve as the next head of the Transportation Security Administration.
Grassroots Update
Last week, the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, Trucking Association of New York, and the Indiana Motor Truck Association visited the capital to meet their Members of Congress. Before their meetings, FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs joined the groups for their kickoff reception. Key meetings for the group included Senate Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Todd Young (R-IN), Energy & Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY).
Support for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) has continued to grow. Last week, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) officially cosponsored the bill as a direct result of continued advocacy from the Kansas Trucking Association. If you would like to send a letter to your Senators on CORCA, please click this link.
On June 25th, the LEAD ATA 2026 cohort will come to Washington to advocate on behalf of the trucking industry. 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 is out this week, but the Senate is in session. The next Hill Report will be sent on June 22nd.