Reps. Troy E. Nehls and Chrissy Houlahan Reintroduce the Trucker Bathroom Access Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06)reintroduced the Trucker Bathroom Access Act. This bipartisan bill would ensure truckers have access to bathroom facilities while they are on the road delivering or picking up cargo across the United States. The Trucker Bathroom Access Act would not require businesses to construct new restroom facilities. However, it would mandate that truckers would have the same access if a business has a bathroom available to their customers or employees. Congressman Nehls and Congresswoman Houlahan previously introduced this legislation in both the 117^th and 118^th Congress.

"Truckers are this nation's backbone," said Congressman Nehls. "Our nation's hardworking truckers keep our country moving and should have access to bathroom facilities while they are on the road-it's common sense. I'm proud to join my colleague, Congresswoman Houlahan, in reintroducing legislation to ensure that truck drivers have access to the restroom at work."

"Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, but inhospitable working conditions have caused challenges with recruitment and retention," said Congresswoman Houlahan. "As female drivers are increasingly filling essential trucking positions, they face a lack of restroom access while making deliveries and pickups. I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure every truck driver is guaranteed access to a restroom while they do their critical jobs, breaking down a systemic barrier that has kept women out of the industry. Truck drivers are essential for our economy and should not have less access to restroom facilities than other employees in their own workplaces."

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX-36) and Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03).

This bipartisan legislation is supported by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the American Trucking Association, the Women In Trucking Association, She Trucking, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT).

"Over 70% of America's freight is exclusively carried by trucks, yet every single day men and women truck drivers are forced to 'hold it' because they aren't allowed access to the restroom when picking up or delivering freight," said Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA. "OOIDA and our 150,000 members thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue, and we look forward to working with them and our coalition partners to get this commonsense, bipartisan legislation signed into law."

"Truck drivers are the heartbeat of our economy and critical to supply chain continuity," said American Trucking Association President & CEO Chris Spear. "When they stop to make pickups or deliveries - which can take hours on end while the truck waits to be loaded or unloaded - drivers should have access to restroom facilities. Such basic accommodations are more than just common courtesy. This is about ensuring the dignity of drivers and supporting the men and women who do the heavy lifting to provide for everyone in this country. It can also help reduce a major barrier to retaining and recruiting more truck drivers, particularly women. ATA appreciates the leadership of Representatives Nehls and Houlahan in addressing this challenge faced by professional truck drivers, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that drivers' most basic needs are met while they do the important work of delivering the nation's goods."

"Women In Trucking Association is proud to support this legislation and is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Nehls and Houlahan in recognizing this basic necessity for drivers," said Jennifer Hedrick, President and CEO of Women In Trucking Association. "Changes like these encourage more women to enter the trucking profession and boost the safety, security, and efficiency of our supply chain."

"As a professional truck driver, I understand the daily challenges drivers face in accessing clean and safe restrooms," said Sharae Moore, Founder & CEO of She Trucking. "Time-sensitive loads, heavy traffic, unpredictable weather, and limited truck parking often make it nearly impossible for drivers to find necessary restroom facilities when they need them. The Trucker Bathroom Access Act is a vital step toward ensuring that all truck drivers, especially women, have access to restrooms while on the road. She Trucking proudly supports this bill and the effort to improve working conditions for the men and women behind the wheel."