NMPF Disappointed by Vote to Remove Truck-Weight Reform Language from Highway Bill
By not allowing states to increase their vehicle weight limits, dairy coalition says safety of nation’s roads are in jeopardy, additional costs are imposed on businesses.
Source: NMPF news release
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted today to remove truck weight reform language from the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, also known as the highway bill.
Following the vote, NMPF president and CEO Jerry Kozak issued this statement:
"We are disappointed by the committee’s vote today to remove the truck weight reform language from the highway bill under consideration in the House Transportation Committee. As dairy farmers and members of dairy cooperatives, we are affected every day by transportation policies that do not reflect the needs and demands of today’s commercial environment. Building on the overwhelming success of pilot programs in Maine and Vermont, which Congress recently extended for an additional 20 years, truck weight reform has proven to be a responsible approach to raising truck weight limits. This allows American businesses to meet consumer demand with fewer trucks, removing unnecessary congestion from the roads, lessening our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint and improving shipping productivity. We need reform now, not after a three-year study.”
For additional background, a letter was sent by a coalition of dairy industry organizations to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica ahead of today’s markup.
