The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act

Prior to operating at ports and maritime facilities or transporting hazardous materials, essential workers like truck drivers, railroad workers, longshoremen, pipeline operators, and warehouse managers must obtain multiple security credentials administered by the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  For hundreds of thousands of workers, this often meant submitting to identical background checks and repeatedly paying fees in order to apply for and renew their credentials.

This broken system began to change on December 23, 2024.  That's when the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, legislation endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, was signed into law. 

This law provides a simple, common sense solution to fix a costly bureaucratic nightmare, allowing workers to apply their existing valid background checks to multiple credentialing programs, such as the Transportation Worker Identification Credentials and Hazardous Materials Endorsements.  By eliminating these duplicative screenings and harmonizing the administration of these important programs, the law codifies formal recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office in 2007 and reaffirmed by the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) in 2020.  These reforms do not make any modifications to the backend security assessment conducted on individual applicants, ensuring that they will undergo the same level of review as they do under current law.  

ATA was at the forefront of the push to pass this bipartisan legislation, assembling a group of over 150 organizations representing trucking, rail, energy, organized labor, agriculture, third-party logistics providers and other key supply chain stakeholders in support.  The bill was also a mainstay in ATA’s Call on Washington program, which facilitated a record 700 meetings between ATA’s member companies and lawmakers during the 118th Congress.  ATA also relied on executives from its 50-state federation to put pressure on key Members of Congress.  This comprehensive effort culminated in victory.  

The bipartisan Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act was introduced by U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Mark Green (R-TN), Michael Guest (R-MS), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA).  The Senate companion was introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jon Tester (D-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Angus King (I-ME). 

Statements of Support 

“For far too long, the truck drivers who keep our country running have been subjected to an outdated, inefficient credentialing system that does not respect their time and money.  That begins to change now.  Congress provided essential supply chain workers with overdue relief from redundant background checks and fees. The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act is a bipartisan victory for common sense.  We commend Members of Congress, especially Senator Roger Wicker and Congressman Garret Graves, who stood up for truckers, making it easier and less costly for hardworking Americans to obtain the credentials they need to do their jobs.” 

- ATA President & CEO Chris Spear 

 

“The federal credentialing process for essential transportation workers is inefficient and costly, and for too long, hardworking truck drivers have been forced to pay the price.  This burden has fallen especially heavily on tank, fuel, and hazmat haulers who have a critical role in our supply chain and need these credentials to do their jobs.  The Arkansas Trucking Association applauds our Members of Congress who listened to the voices of the trucking industry and passed these long-overdue reforms that will eliminate redundancy, remove unnecessary barriers, and save drivers time and money.” 

- Shannon Newton, President, Arkansas Trucking Association 

 

“California’s truckers need less red tape! The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act (H.R, 5840, S. 3959) trims redundant background checks and redundant fees. The related costs in time and money add nothing to safety while unnecessarily impacting a hardworking labor force of more than 130,000 Californians. The California Trucking Association supports this legislation because if offers greater efficiency for both the government and our supply chain workforce servicing the busiest ports in the nation.” 

- Eric Sauer, CEO, California Trucking Association 

 

“I have heard from truck drivers across Colorado who have dealt with the frustration of undergoing duplicative background checks and paying multiple fees to obtain the credentials they are required to hold in order to do their critical jobs.  With the support of Colorado’s congressional delegation, this inefficient process will soon be replaced with one that treats drivers with respect and saves them time and money.  The Colorado Motor Carriers Association is grateful for our leaders who listened to truck drivers’ concerns and took action on behalf of the hardworking members of our supply chain to reform the outdated credentialing system.” 

- Greg Fulton, President & CEO, Colorado Motor Carriers Association 

 

“Florida saw the negative impact of the inefficiency of redundant background checks first-hand this year, during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  

"Trucks were stopped at the port entrances, having to wait hours, sometimes days, to be cleared for entry when their drivers did not hold a TWIC card, but had already completed the background checks required to haul hazardous goods. 

"When Port Tampa Bay remained closed (which supplies 43% of our state’s fuel), Floridians themselves felt the aftershocks of the Hurricane—unable to find fuel in the region. Trucks coming in from out of state to assist with relief efforts struggled to refuel in sister ports, due to credentialing requirements. Florida Trucking Association, in fact, had to intervene on numerous occasions, contacting the on-site official at Department of Homeland Security in ports, to grant truck drivers access, during a severe emergency.  

"This hurricane season showed how important this legislation is to not only the trucking industry, but the public.” 

- Alix Miller, President and CEO, Florida Trucking Association 

 

“As a testament to the ubiquity of challenges posed by redundant background checks and duplicative fees, this commonsense legislation is supported by the entire spectrum of supply chain stakeholders, including trucking, rail, energy, organized labor, agriculture, third-party logistics providers, and other key supply chain stakeholders. The 200,000 professional truck drivers in Georgia who bear the burden of this redundancy and duplication appreciate Congress’ attention to this issue and urge the president to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.” 

- Ed Crowell, President & CEO, Georgia Motor Trucking Association 

 

“The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act is a game-changer for Louisiana, especially for our truckers serving the manufacturing and oil and gas industries. By streamlining procedures and fees, this legislation ensures safer, faster, and more efficient operations for truckers, which are critical to maintaining our state’s economic strength and competitive edge. We also want to extend our gratitude to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for listening to the trucking industry’s concerns and taking action to alleviate this burden on drivers.” 

- Renee Amar, Executive Director, Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) 

 

“Maine Motor Transport Association is grateful to our leaders in Congress for approving this important bill to help eliminate duplicative requirements for our supply chain workers to get the credentials they need. This common sense, bipartisan legislation is a step in the right direction to streamline the processes that underpin the safe, efficient movement of goods in interstate commerce. On behalf of our members, and the entire trucking industry, we look forward to seeing this bill be signed into law.” 

- Brian Park, President and CEO, Maine Motor Transport Association 

 

"The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act will eliminate redundant background checks and streamline the enrollment/renewal processes for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Hazmat Endorsement (HME) programs. The removal of duplicative screening will minimize the time and fees required by transportation professionals to obtain credentials without reducing any safety or security measures.  The Mississippi Trucking Association extends our sincere gratitude to Representative Michael Guest and Senator Roger Wicker for sponsoring this legislation to lift unnecessary barriers from supply chain workers.  We also thank Congressman Bennie Thompson, who played a key leadership role in getting this bill across the finish line to keep America moving.” 

- Hal Miller, President, Mississippi Trucking Association 

 

“The duplicative processes that Montana truckers and other essential workers must undergo to obtain necessary credentials cost them valuable time and money. This bipartisan bill makes a commonsense fix to this inefficient system, removing redundant security screening requirements and making it easier for those employed in the supply chain to focus on their vital, primary responsibility of moving critical freight.  We are grateful for the work and leadership that has gone into advancing this bill.” 

- Duane Williams, CEO, Montana Trucking Association 

 

“The benefits of this legislation in Nebraska are truly significant. The geography of our state already poses challenges to CDL holders seeking endorsements because they often must drive long distances and deal with long waits just to get fingerprinted. This bill will minimize those problems, creating opportunities for professional drivers to expand their careers – all while protecting our vital supply chains.” 

- Kent Grisham, President & CEO, Nebraska Trucking Association 

 

"Truck drivers in Nevada and across the nation have been subjected to duplicative background checks for far too long.  This redundancy does nothing to enhance the safety of America’s ports and roadways.  Paying for the same background check up to three times only serves the TSA and lines the pockets of their government contractors.  We applaud Congresswoman Dina Titus for her leadership in stopping the private and bureaucratic interests from grifting truck drivers, and we appreciate Congress’ overwhelming support for this legislation." 

- Paul J. Enos, CEO, Nevada Trucking Association 

 

“Thank you for passing S. 3959. The words ‘simple’ and ‘common sense’ are understandably loaded when it comes to legislation, but this bill is just that. By eliminating duplicative background checks and fees, this bill streamlines the process for essential works to keep the country moving while continuing to enforce appropriate security screening. I have personally heard from many of my motor carrier members that have been unable to hire qualified drivers due to the delays that the current process causes. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, North Carolinians became acutely aware of the essential nature of fuel haulers. Please support this bill to make it less burdensome to enter this honorable profession.” 

- Ben Greenberg, President & CEO, North Carolina Trucking Association  

 

“It not only defies common sense to force truck drivers to undergo multiple identical backgrounds checks, but it also wastes their time and money.  The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act makes much-needed reforms to our duplicative and wasteful federal credentialing process, removing unnecessary burdens for hardworking drivers and enhancing our national security.  From the drivers who operate out of the Port of Portland in the west to the drivers who haul fuel and other hazardous materials in the east, members of the Oregon Trucking Associations are grateful to our congressional delegation for making it easier to do their essential jobs.” 

- Jana Jarvis, President & CEO, Oregon Trucking Associations 

 

“The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act will replace a credentialing process that is outdated and duplicative with a modernized system that is efficient and enhances our national security.  The South Carolina Trucking Association applauds Members of Congress for responding to the concerns of truck drivers, who for too long have been subjected to a fragmented process that wastes their time and money.  These commonsense reforms will alleviate this longstanding burden placed on truck drivers, making it easier for them to do their essential jobs and strengthening our supply chain.” 

- Rick Todd, President & CEO, South Carolina Trucking Association 

 

"The South Dakota Trucking Association strongly supports the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act. This legislation eliminates redundant background checks and duplicative fees, creating efficiencies that will benefit our drivers and streamline the credentialing process. By reducing unnecessary costs and processing times, we can better support the supply chain and ensure our industry remains productive and competitive." 

- Christine Vinatieri-Erickson, President, South Dakota Trucking Association  

 

“The credentialing process for transportation workers has not only been outdated and inefficient—it has failed to make our country safer.  The government’s duplicative and siloed security screening programs have been long-overdue for improvement to respect truck drivers’ time and money.  We are grateful for the leadership of Members of Congress who advanced these common-sense reforms, particularly Congressman Mark Green who has advocated for strong national security measures that don’t impede commerce as the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.” 

- Donna England, President and CEO, Tennessee Trucking Association 

 

"The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act is a game-changer for the trucking industry. This legislation will create efficiencies for both the government and supply chain workers, allowing individuals to enroll in multiple credentialing programs simultaneously with a reduced fee structure. This legislation will benefit workers throughout the supply chain, streamlining processes and reducing costs for our hardworking truck drivers." 

- John D. Esparza, President & CEO, Texas Trucking Association 

 

“The hardworking men and women in the trucking industry and other essential members of our supply chain deserve a federal credentialing process that respects their time and money. The Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act will reform the current duplicative system by codifying recommendations repeatedly made by government audits to reduce redundancy, costs, and hassle.  I commend Congressman Adam Smith for leading this effort in Congress to support American workers and the resilience of our supply chain.” 

- Sheri Call, President and CEO, Washington Trucking Associations 

 

“This common-sense solution is a win for movers. Eliminating administrative redundancies and improving access to our customer’s homes is both reasonable and practical and continues to assure efficient moves, our highest priority, are achieved. We appreciate the work of Congress to get these important reforms finished before year’s end.” 

- Dan Hilton, Executive Director, ATA's Moving and Storage Conference 

Supply-Chain Support

More than 150 organizations representing all transportation modes, business, and labor called on Congress to pass the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act: 

Massive Supply Chain Coalition Calls for Reforms to Transportation Security Credentialing System by ATA Media on Scribd

AATCO
Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference
Agricultural Retailers Association
AgTC Agriculture Transportation Coalition
Alabama Trucking Association
Alaska Fuel Storage and Handlers Alliance
Alaska Trucking Association
Allied Van Lines
American Association of Port Authorities
American Chemistry Council
American Pyrotechnics Association
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
American Trucking Associations
Arizona Moving Association
Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association
Arizona Trucking Association
Arkansas Oil Marketers Association, Inc.
Arkansas Trucking Association
Association of American Railroads
Automobile Carriers Conference
Baggett Transportation
Border Trade Alliance
California Trucking Association
Colorado Motor Carriers Association
Colorado Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association
Delaware Motor Transport Association
Empire State Energy Association, Inc.
Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island
Energy Marketers of America
Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Inc.
Florida Trucking Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
FUELIowa
Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey
Fuel True: Independent Energy and Convenience of Kansas
Fueling Minnesota
Garner Trucking Ltd
Gases and Welding Distributors Association
Georgia Motor Trucking Association
Georgia Oilmen’s Association
Government Freight Conference
Harbor Trucking Association
Hawaii Energy Marketers Association
Hawaii Transportation Association
Idaho Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association
Idaho Trucking Association
Illinois Fuel & Retail Association
Illinois Trucking Association
Indiana Food & Fuel Association
Indiana Motor Truck Association
Institute of Makers of Explosives
Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Longshore and Warehouse Union Washington Area District Council
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Iowa Motor Truck Association
Kansas Motor Carriers Association 
Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association
Kentucky Trucking Association
Louisiana Motor Transport Association
Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association
Lynden Inc.
Maine Energy Marketers Association
Maine Motor Transport Association
Maryland Motor Truck Association
Michigan Petroleum Association / Michigan Association of Convenience Stores
Michigan Trucking Association
Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Distributors’ Association
Minnesota Trucking Association
Mississippi Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Stores Association 
Mississippi Trucking Association
Missouri Petroleum & Convenience Association
Missouri Trucking Association
Montana Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
Montana Trucking Association
Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
Moving and Storage Conference
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives 
National Energy & Fuels Institute
National Industrial Transportation League
National Motor Freight Traffic Association
National Private Truck Council
National Propane Gas Association
National Tank Truck Carriers
National Van Lines
NATSO, Representing America’s Travel Plazas and Truckstops
Nebraska Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association 
Nebraska Trucking Association
Nevada Trucking Association
New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association 
New Hampshire Motor Transport Association
New Jersey Motor Truck Association
New Mexico Petroleum Marketers Association
New Mexico Trucking Association
North American Van Lines
North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers 
North Carolina Trucking Association
North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association 
North Dakota Motor Carriers Association
Ohio Energy & Convenience Association
Ohio Trucking Association
Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association
Oklahoma Trucking Association
Oregon Fuels Association
Oregon Trucking Associations
Paxton Van Lines
Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association
Pennsylvania Petroleum Association
Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama
Prestera Trucking Inc.
PTS Worldwide, Inc.
Radiopharmaceutical Shippers & Carriers Committee
Railway Supply Institute
Reify Solutions
Republic Moving & Storage
Rhode Island Trucking Association
SIGMA: America's Leading Fuel Marketers
SJ Transportation
South Carolina Convenience & Petroleum Marketers Association 
South Carolina Trucking Association
South Dakota Petroleum & Propane Marketers Association 
South Dakota Trucking Association
Tennessee Fuel and Convenience Store Association
Tennessee Trucking Association
Texas Food & Fuel Association
Texas Trucking Association
Transportation Intermediaries Association
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO
Tri-State Motor Transit Co.
Trucking Association of Massachusetts
Trucking Association of New York
Truckload Carriers Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Utah Petroleum Marketers & Retailers Association
Utah Trucking Association
Vermont Fuel Dealers Association
Vermont Truck and Bus Association
Virginia Petroleum & Convenience Marketers Association
Virginia Trucking Association
Washington Independent Energy Distributors
Washington Movers Conference
Washington State Labor Council
Washington Trucking Associations
West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association
West Virginia Trucking Association
Western Petroleum Marketers Association
Wisconsin Fuel and Retail Association
Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association
Women in Motion
Wyoming Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association
Wyoming Trucking Association
3GL, Ltd.

Additionally, following the Senate introduction of the bill, the American Trucking Associations, the National Tank Truck Carriers, the Border Trade Alliance, and the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME)--a trade association founded with the mission to promote the safe and secure manufacture, transport, distribution, and use of commercial explosives--wrote to the Senate sponsors to express support for the bill.