CORCA Queued up for NDAA Inclusion
Last week, supporters of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) in both the House and Senate took steps towards adding the bill as an amendment to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). CORCA will provide important federal resources to coordinate law enforcement at all levels in the effort to combat the growing scourge of cargo theft and freight fraud. ATA is leading a broad coalition of shippers and transportation providers in support of this important legislation.
ATA was grateful to Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL) for posing a question to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin last week, which confirmed that there is a strong national security justification for passing CORCA. Increasingly, sophisticated fraud and theft schemes are perpetrated by transnational criminal organizations that take advantage of trucking companies, railroads, and shippers to steal goods and fund their illicit operations.
ATA Hails House Bill to combat ELD Fraud
Last week, Reps. Greg Steube (R-FL) and Dave Taylor (R-OH) introduced the Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper (GHOSTRUCK) Act, which is strongly supported by ATA. The bill will require that any edits or annotations to ELD records be made only by entities physically located in North America. Also supporting the legislation are the Florida Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association, National Tank Truck Carriers, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and National Motor Freight Traffic Association.
Upon the bill’s introduction, ATA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen stated: “Roadway safety depends on consistent compliance with hours-of-service regulations, and preserving the integrity of electronic logging devices is central to that mission. Tampering with electronic logs is a growing problem that undermines enforcement, rewards bad actors, and puts the motoring public at risk. We appreciate Congressmen Steube and Taylor’s attention to closing this loophole and strengthening accountability so these devices serve the safety purpose they were intended to fulfill.”
House Republicans Seek Path for Reconciliation 3.0
Last week, House Republicans leaders continued discussing potential paths for consideration of a third party-line tax-and-spend bill through the budget reconciliation process. This process was previously used to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and to provide three years of funding for immigration operations by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Citizenship Enforcement (ICE). Senate Republicans are skeptical that they will have fifty votes to pass another partisan measure as the 2026 midterm elections draw closer.
A Reconciliation 3.0 bill is an opportunity for ATA to pursue top priorities, including repealing the 12 percent Federal Excise Tax on new trucks and trailers, reinstating important renewable fuels incentives, and improving the tax code for trucking companies of all sizes to grow their operations. ATA will work with champions of the trucking industry in Congress to advance these priorities at every opportunity.
Senate HELP Plans July Vote on Labor Nominees
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced last week that they plan to vote on key nominees to the Department of Labor and National Labor Relations Board on July 15th. President Trump has nominated Brett Matsumoto to serve as Commissioner of Labor Statistics at the Department of Labor and James Macy to serve as the third Republican member of the National Labor Relations Board. Additionally, President Trump nominated current NLRB member David Prouty for a second term on the Board. ATA will monitor these nominations closely as they advance in the Senate.
House Appropriations Committee Completes FY27 Work
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the twelfth annual spending proposal for the upcoming fiscal year 2027. These bills are now pending consideration and approval by the full House of Representatives. ATA counted major wins in the Committee-passed measures, including securing an additional $200 million for the construction of safe truck parking, funding and agency direction to coordinate federal agency efforts to combat cargo theft, and provisions to improve highway safety.
ATA will continue working with champions of the trucking industry in both the House and Senate to enact strong funding provisions and helpful agency directions that will enable freight to move safely and efficiently on our nation’s roadways.
Election Update
Last Tuesday, June 23rd, Maryland, New York, and Utah held their primary elections. Notable results include:
New York – In closely watched safe Democrat seats, numerous progressive challengers prevailed against establishment-backed incumbents and candidates.
- In NY-07, Assemblywoman Claire Valdez (D) defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
- In NY-12 to fill retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler’s seat, Nadler-endorsed Assemblyman Micah Lasher prevailed over fellow assemblyman Alex Bores.
- In NY-10, sitting Rep. Dan Goldman lost to former City Comptroller Brad Lander (D).
- In NY-13, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat was defeated by activist Darializa Avila Chevalier. Also, in Republican-held seats, Rep. Mike Lawler (R) is set to face army veteran Cait Conley (D) (in a key toss-up seat for both parties). Boxer and businessman Anthony Constantino (R) prevailed to fill retiring Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat in NY-21.
Maryland – 119th Congress freshman Rep. April McClain Delaney (D) defeated a comeback bid by former Rep. David Trone in MD-06. In MD-05, State Delegate Adrian Boafo (D) won the primary to replace retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer.
Utah – In UT-01, former Rep. Ben McAdams (D) secured the nomination in Utah’s redrawn Democratic-leaning seat representing Salt Lake City. Both Reps. Blake Moore (R) and Celeste Maloy (R) defeated their primary opponents.
Colorado holds their primary election next week.
Committee Notes
- On Wednesday, June 24th the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee held a hearing on nominations to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Department of Transportation, the Surface Transportation Board, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of note, Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) asked NTSB nominee Thomas Chapman if a national autonomous vehicles (AV) policy is needed. Chapman replied in the affirmative while noting the increased safety benefits of AVs.
- In the House on Wednesday, the House Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing on apprenticeships. Members focused their questions on reskilling the workforce as AI evolves and federal solutions to ensure government doesn’t deter apprenticeship opportunities through cumbersome regulations.
- Additionally, the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Energy advanced by voice vote eight bills focused on making energy more affordable. Of note, the Subcommittee advanced the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026.
Grassroots Update
Last week, the LEAD ATA 2026 cohort visited Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the trucking industry. 23 LEADers from 14 states participated in 47 meetings across the House and Senate. Notable meetings for the group include Reps. Deborah Ross (D-NC), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Kevin Hern (R-OK), and Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tina Smith (D-MN). The group was well prepared to discuss legislative updates on CORCA, lawsuit abuse, and trucking affordability issues.
Speaking of CORCA, following advocacy from the LEAD ATA and the Iowa Motor Truck Association, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined as the 48th cosponsor on CORCA. Interested in engaging with your Senators on CORCA? Please send a letter to your Senators asking for their continued support.
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 Senate will be in recess, but the House will be in session this week. The next Hill Report will be sent on July 6th.