ATA President Chris Spear Optimistic About Infrastructure Bill
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CLEVELAND — American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear expressed optimism that the sweeping infrastructure package circulating on Capitol Hill will win approval, and praised the trucking industry’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in remarks delivered at American Trucking Associations’ 2021 Technology & Maintenance Council Fall Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition.
“Roads and bridges are trucking’s shop floor,” Spear told the crowd of maintenance professionals in the first in-person meeting TMC has held since before the pandemic. “That’s where we work. And if we do not have good infrastructure, not only does trucking suffer, but so does the entire country.”
Spear described the $1 trillion package advanced by the White House as “a very good bill,” but noted that it’s not perfect.
Spear greets attendees at TMC, the first such in-person meeting since before the pandemic. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
“No bill ever is,” Spear said. “But even though it just happens to be going through Congress in a very toxic political environment, it is a very good piece of legislation that I believe will be signed into law very soon.”
He believes that will constitute a victory for trucking, and help the industry “keep on doing what we do.” Spear added, “I believe our future is bright, in spite of all the toxicity we face today.”
While Spear praised former President Donald Trump for his public support of trucking — including two events where trucks were welcomed to the White House — he expressed disappointment that Trump never delivered an infrastructure package. “Trump had four years,” Spear said. “He had his chance and it was all talk.”
In this current bill, Spear pointed specifically to the inclusion of the DRIVE-Safe Act, which will permit drivers 18 and older to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce, as a win for trucking. With the industry battling a driver shortage, Spear noted that expanding the pool of driver candidates is vital — especially with the elevated profile trucking has gained amid the pandemic.
“This industry is now recognized at a level we never thought possible. It feels good to get a pat on the back,” he said. “Truckers don’t have the luxury of telecommuting to work. But trucking rose to the challenge, despite our drivers having no idea what kind of impact COVID would have on them or their families.”
While Spear noted that he mandated vaccinations at ATA in May out of “a responsibility to secure a safe work space,” he is critical of President Joe Biden’s mandate for companies with more than 100 employees to require vaccinations, especially as it relates to trucking.
“Companies are different, and a one-size-fits-all approach in this instance is an overbearing mandate for an industry that is already facing chronic shortages of technicians, dock workers and drivers,” Spear said. “This mandate could keep carriers from meeting shippers’ expectations and some lawmakers in Washington don’t understand that.”
Still, Spear expressed faith in the industry’s ability to confront challenges.
“Coming out of COVID, we as an industry and ATA as a council have been able to navigate tremendous headwinds,” Spear said. “There is no playbook for dealing with a global pandemic.”
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