A United Front for Freight on Capitol Hill

This week on Capitol Hill, the trucking industry stood shoulder to shoulder with the rail industry to press Congress for action on policies that will improve the movement of freight, strengthen safety, and support the men and women who keep America moving.

ATA President & CEO Chris Spear held a series of meetings with influential members of the U.S. House of Representatives and was joined by Ian Jefferies, his counterpart at the Association of American Railroads.

ATA and AAR are the voices of industries that collectively provide millions of good jobs. As representatives of two essential components of the supply chain, they share a commitment to commonsense solutions that address real-world threats facing American commerce.

Cargo Theft

Spear and Jefferies first met with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, where the discussion centered on the urgent need to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a measure that targets sophisticated criminal schemes that endanger drivers and drive up costs for consumers.

As the second-in-command of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader has the responsibility of managing the floor calendar. The ATA and AAR leaders strategized with Rep. Scalise to map out the path ahead and, ultimately, schedule a vote. They emphasized that enacting this legislation would not only provide a boost to the trucking and rail sectors, it would also directly address Americans' growing concerns about affordability.

Organized cargo theft has exploded in recent years, fueled by highly coordinated criminal networks that operate across state and international borders. In addition to posing a national security risk, these thefts cost the trucking industry $18 million every day and cost the overall supply chain up to $35 billion annually.

ATA is a leading advocate for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would establish a unified federal response, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, and finally give authorities the tools they need to dismantle these operations and hold criminals accountable. While on Capitol Hill, Spear and Jefferies also stopped by the office of Rep. David Joyce (R-OH), the bill sponsor, to devise how to continue to generate legislative momentum.

Surface Reauthorization

Spear also sat down with House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen to discuss an additional priority: the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization.

T&I is one of the key committees that holds jurisdiction over the renewal of the nation's highway programs, which is imperative to modernize infrastructure and address long-standing bottlenecks hindering the freight network.

Roads and bridges are the shop floor for America's truck drivers. Sustained, reliable investment is essential to improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth. As Congress ramps up work on the next highway bill, ATA is advocating for policies that reflect the operational realities of trucking and the broader supply chain, building on priorities that Spear has consistently advanced on Capitol Hill.

Advocacy in Action

By working alongside our partners in rail, ATA is reinforcing the message that good public policy benefits the supply chain across modes and industries.

For ATA, this advocacy is about delivering results for our member motor carriers-small and large-and for the professional drivers who serve communities in every corner of the country. Whether it is cracking down on organized crime, strengthening safety standards, or investing in infrastructure, ATA will continue to engage lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to advance practical solutions.

America's supply chain depends on it.