Elections change Congress, but they don’t change trucking’s priorities

Election Day changed the political landscape in Washington. Democrats will take control of both chambers of Congress next year, although dozens of individual House races remain uncalled. A blue tsunami swept Capitol Hill, but it didn’t wash away the challenges confronting America’s trucking industry. Cargo theft does not have a party affiliation. Neither do deteriorating roads and bridges, safety compliance, the shortage of truck parking or lawsuit abuse. That reality has always shaped ATA’s approach to advocacy. Regardless of who holds the gavels, we are going to attack the problems confronting our industry. In doing so, we can work with anyone willing to work with us. Image Hanscom In fact, transportation represents one of D.C.’s best opportunities to demonstrate that divided government does not have to mean dysfunctional government. The next surface transportation reauthorization is now on the kitchen table. America’s economy depends on safe, efficient infrastructure and predictable, long-term investment. ATA has already been making the case that Congress should build on the bipartisan progress underway and deliver a highway bill that gives our industry and job creators across our economy the certainty they need. But before the new Congress convenes, the current Congress still has important work to finish. That includes passage of our nation’s annual defense bill and final action on bipartisan measures to combat organized cargo theft and freight fraud. The House overwhelmingly passed the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act earlier this year, while the Senate moved to include it in the defense authorization process. ATA has made combating these sophisticated criminal networks a top priority…

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