Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations applauded the inclusion of provisions to support truckers and strengthen the supply chain in the final fiscal year 2026 appropriations package that is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Notably, the bill includes $200 million dedicated for truck parking expansion projects. U.S. Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR), the chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was instrumental in securing this line item addressing one of the trucking industry's top concerns.

"The severe, ongoing shortage of truck parking places an immense burden on truck drivers and creates significant roadway hazards. Truckers are essential to Americans' way of life, and the least we can do to show our support is to ensure they have a safe place to park and sleep when they take their federally mandated rest break or finish their shift," said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. "We thank the members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees for prioritizing this significant investment in truck parking, as well as additional provisions that will strengthen our supply chain. We are especially appreciative of the decisive leadership of Congressman Womack for ensuring the truck parking provision was incorporated in the final bill."

"Congressman Womack's commitment to issues such as truck parking demonstrates his understanding that the men and women who deliver America's freight deserve convenient, safe, and readily available places to rest," said Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton. "Arkansas is primarily a rural state, where trucking represents 1 in 10 jobs, and it serves as a crossroads for interstate freight on I-30, I-40, and I-55. We are grateful to Congressman Womack for his leadership on such an important issue to our industry."

According to a USDOT study, 98% of truck drivers regularly experience problems locating safe parking. An analysis by the American Transportation Research Institute found that the average driver sacrifices 56 minutes of drive time per day. This results in $6,813 in lost wages for truck drivers each year. This new investment in truck parking would build on the progress that has been made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that ATA championed, which has allocated funding to build roughly 2,000 truck parking spaces.

In addition to the $200 million for truck parking, the appropriations package addresses a number of other trucking industry priorities ATA advocated for, including:

• Directing USDOT to provide a report and develop a strategy to respond to cargo theft.
• Addressing distracted and impaired driving;
• Studying the growing issue of predatory towing;
• Reporting on the availability and feasibility of technologies that could measure intoxication, including marijuana impairment;
• Providing an update on the establishment of a national AV framework;
• Requiring a study on congestion pricing, specifically relating to its effect on finances, safety, emissions, and congestion;
• Strengthening oversight of the Training Provider Registry; and
• Enforcing English language proficiency requirements.

If the House votes to approve the package this week, the measure will be sent to the Senate next week for final passage and then be signed into law.