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Government affairs<br />
Political Debates<br />
Trucking industry keeping<br />
an eye on key Congressional races<br />
By Kris Rutherford<br />
While this year’s battle for the U.S. presidency will<br />
undoubtedly claim bragging rights as the mostwatched<br />
political race, those in the trucking<br />
industry are keeping an eye on a handful of key<br />
Congressional races.<br />
Several issues are at the forefront of trucking executives’<br />
concerns. From economic uncertainties to shifting demand,<br />
labor regulations, a driver shortage, and increased fuel prices,<br />
the industry faces uncertainty as it attempts to keep supply<br />
chains flowing. In most political races this cycle, concerns<br />
of the trucking industry are not contentious issues,<br />
although many incumbents are highlighting the projects<br />
brought to their states and districts through the bipartisan<br />
Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (better known as<br />
the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL).<br />
Among the Senate races to watch, Montana tops the list,<br />
according to Missy Edwards of Missy Edwards Strategies<br />
and Richard Sullivan of State Federal Strategies. Edwards<br />
and Sullivan serve as political consultants for the Truckload<br />
Carriers Association (TCA).<br />
Montana’s three-time incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, a<br />
Democrat, faces challenges from political newcomer and<br />
former Navy Seal Tim Sheehy, a Republican, as well as a<br />
possible late run from Republican Congressman Mark<br />
Rosendale. Sheehy’s stance on transportation-related<br />
issues is unclear; however, he has stated he is committed to<br />
America’s independence when it comes to energy. Sheehy<br />
says he will seek to reverse Environmental Protection<br />
Agency (EPA) regulations that are driving up energy costs<br />
and hindering America’s energy independence.<br />
Tester, referred to by many as a champion for the trucking<br />
industry, touts his record in supporting trucker-related<br />
issues. Some of his early support for truckers included the<br />
Troops to Truckers Act in 2012, and he pressed for legislation<br />
to open the trucking industry to younger drivers. He was also<br />
among the leaders calling for the reopening of the border with<br />
Canada as the COVID-19 pandemic began to wane.<br />
More recently, he cosponsored the bipartisan Truck Parking<br />
Safety and Improvement Act, which designates $755 million<br />
over three years to develop safe parking areas for truckers.<br />
“Truckers spend long hours behind the wheel every day<br />
to make sure Montanans have the goods we need on our<br />
shelves,” Tester said. “It’s important we keep truckers safe<br />
and ensure supply chains are running smoothly to cut costs.<br />
I’m proud to have worked with folks on both sides of the<br />
aisle to improve truck parking infrastructure.”<br />
Among Tester’s major accomplishments in the Senate is<br />
his support for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and<br />
Jobs Act, a law setting aside $1.2 trillion to improve America’s<br />
infrastructure including roads, bridges, and other transportation<br />
and communications facilities. The act also promised<br />
to create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans.<br />
“We’ve all seen the impact that supply chain disruptions<br />
have on consumer prices and small businesses, which is<br />
why we’ve got to make sure our truck drivers have the resources<br />
and infrastructure they need to get goods where<br />
they need to go safely and efficiently,” Tester said.<br />
Currently, Tester is the only Democrat in the Montana<br />
Sponsored by SCALE FUNDING / GETSCALEFUNDING.com / 800.707.4845<br />
6 Truckload Authority | www.Truckload.org TCA MARCH/APRIL 2024