ATA Hails Introduction of Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act
Last Thursday, ATA hailed the introduction of the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act in both the House and Senate. Led by Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), this bill will protect the trucking industry from litigation risk by ensuring that federal safety standards for motor vehicle equipment cannot be superseded by states.
“When NHTSA establishes a federal safety standard, manufacturers and motor carriers should be able to rely on that determination. Allowing lawsuits to effectively impose equipment mandates that diverge from federal requirements creates uncertainty, drives up costs, and threatens the uniformity that keeps our nation's supply chain moving safely and efficiently,” said ATA SVP of Legislative Affairs Alex Rosen. “The trucking industry applauds the bill sponsors for introducing this commonsense legislation to affirm NHTSA’s role as the nation's expert regulator for motor vehicle safety standards. If NHTSA, after evaluating the available evidence through its rulemaking process, determines that a particular standard strikes the appropriate balance to maximize motor vehicle safety, that expert determination should carry greater weight than the hindsight judgments advanced by profit-seeking trial attorneys in individual courtrooms.”
Sonderling DOL Nomination Pushed to September
The Senate completed its work prior to leaving Capitol Hill for the August recess, without acting on the nomination of Keith Sonderling to serve as the next Secretary of Labor. With a full slate of legislating, including confirmation of Attorney General Todd Blanche, approval of a package of lower-level Trump nominations, and passage of both a sanctions package on Russia and Iran and a continuing resolution to fund government operations until mid-December, Senate Majority Leader Thune was unable to find time to move through the procedural hurdles before the break.
ATA strongly supports Sonderling’s confirmation to lead the Department of Labor. He possesses deep workforce expertise, strong policy judgment, and agency management experience. ATA will urge Senate leadership to act swiftly to confirm him in September.
Trump Presses Thune for Reconciliation 3.0
Last week, President Trump pushed Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to take up debate of a budget resolution that would provide $95 billion in deficit spending for the war in Iran ($73 billion), aid to farmers ($12 billion), and efforts to prevent voting fraud ($10 billion). The bill does not include any proposals for changes to tax revenues, which potentially would have been a vehicle for key ATA priorities.
Majority Leader Thune has publicly stated that there are not 50 Republican votes in support of the budget resolution, and as a result will not bring it to the Senate floor. The resolution passed the House by a narrow majority on July 22nd. Should this proposal advance, the budget resolution would set up conflicts with the Senate Parliamentarian and moderate Senate Republicans.
Congress has a very limited window to debate legislation prior to the November midterm Congressional elections. ATA will work closely with champions of the trucking industry to advance trucking priorities on any legislation that can pass Congress in 2026.
Senate Passes Proposal to Fund Government Until Mid-December
Prior to adjourning for the August recess, the Senate passed a continuing resolution that would provide for government operations after the current fiscal year ends on September 30th, through December 11th. This extension must still be passed by the House but would avoid the risk of a government shutdown occurring only weeks before the midterm Congressional elections.
A short-term extension of surface transportation programs, which also expire on September 30th, is included in this continuing resolution. House and Senate Committee leaders are continuing to draft a long-term Highway Bill, which will include many key priorities for the trucking industry. ATA will continue working with champions in Congress to secure funding and agency directions through authorizing and appropriations bills as they are considered by the 119th Congress.
Election Update
Last week, Virgina, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington, and Tennessee held consequential primaries. The results of closely watched races are below:
Michigan
- Senate: In a close race between the establishment Democrat favored candidate, Rep. Haley Stevens, and the Progressive Caucus backed candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, El-Sayed narrowly prevailed. He will now face returning 2024 GOP Senate candidate and former Rep. Mike Rogers in November.
- MI-08: Navy veteran Amir Hassan. who was endorsed by President Trump. was defeated by retired engineer Thomas Smith, who had suspended his campaign in July. Smith now faces Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D) in November.
- MI-10: Army veteran Mike Bouchard Jr. won the Republican nomination to retain Rep. John James’ seat. James is now the Republican nominee in Michigan’s gubernatorial race. Bouchard will face former special-victims prosecutor Christina Hines (D) in November.
- Progressive Democrats prevailed in two key Michigan House races. In Michigan's 7th district, progressive activist William Lawrence prevailed and will face Rep. Tom Barrett (R). In Michigan's 13th district, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D) became the most recent incumbent to lose his primary to a more progressive opponent, State Rep. Donavan McKinney.
Missouri
Rep. Wesley Bell (D-01) defended his seat against former Representative, and former member of “The Squad,” Cori Bush (D), whom he defeated last election.
Washington
In the 3rd District, State Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R) advanced to face Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D). In the 4th District, Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney (R) and Air Force veteran John Duresky (D) advanced to fill the vacancy from retiring Rep. Dan Newhouse (R).
Tennessee
Senator Marsha Blackburn defeated Rep. John Rose (R) and is on track to become the first female Governor of Tennessee. In a notable contested primary, Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Trump-endorsed Rep. Andy Ogles, who had been expected to lead the House Freedom Caucus in the 120th Congress, in the newly-drawn 5th district.
Additionally, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) announced he will no longer seek reelection following the House Ethics Committee finding that he likely violated congressional sexual harassment rules. The North Carolina Republican party will decide who his replacement will be for the 11th district in November.
This week, Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin will hold their elections.
Committee Notes
- On Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee debated a Farm Bill proposal, which failed on a party-line vote. Democrats objected to the partisan draft bill over concerns about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program changes. The House has completed work on a bipartisan proposal, but the Senate will await another Committee discussion on its bill in September.
- On Wednesday, Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced their plans to extending the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (CHIPS ITC), which was enacted by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Without congressional action, CHIPS ITC tax benefits will not apply to projects that begin construction after December 31, 2026.
- On Thursday, August 6th, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reintroduced the Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) are original cosponsors of the bill, and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) introduced the House companion bill.
Grassroots Update
Interested in engaging with your Senators on CORCA? Please click this link to send a letter to your Senators asking for their continued support.
ATA’s Call on Washington program will return with the Moving & Storage Conference’s annual visit to Washington D.C. on September 16th. 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 and Senate have adjourned for August recess. The next Hill Report will be sent on September 8th.