Spear: ATA Will Keep Leading No Matter Election's Outcome
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear celebrated the industry’s array of policy accomplishments during his annual State of the Industry address at ATA’s 2024 Management Conference & Exhibition.
The ATA leader affirmed in his Oct. 14 speech that the industry is strong and on track toward realizing growing economic success in the coming years.
During his wide-ranging keynote speech, Spear praised truck drivers’ essential role in ensuring the viability of the country’s freight supply chain. With the November presidential election fast approaching, Spear also called on stakeholders to maintain their focus on safety and efficiency.
“We have a full agenda, fueled largely by a presidential election, a deeply divided Congress and unelected state regulatory boards and agencies enforcing extreme, unachievable environmental and labor standards. Big union bosses are emboldened, thanks to a sitting president, vice president and acting secretary of Labor who decided this year it would be a great idea to walk a picket line. And don’t forget those trial lawyers, trolling our industry, swaying juries and serving up nuclear verdicts that feed their greed,” Spear said.
“The stage is set. The stakes are high. And in just three short weeks we’ll know the direction our country takes,” he said. “Regardless of the outcome, ATA will remain at the table. Despite the policies, legislation and regulations, we will continue to lead the discussion and drive the outcome. Our story is the rock that breaks the wave.”
"The stage is set. The stakes are high," Spear said. (John Sommers II/Transport Topics)
“It speaks to all sides and serves as the start of every idea and possibility, never the afterthought,” he went on.
Specific to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, ATA is among the groups strongly opposed to her renomination. Confirmed in 2021 as deputy secretary, Su awaits a vote in the Senate to determine whether she will officially hold the department’s top role. Senior Republicans have called on the acting secretary to resign. At issue is a Labor Department rule outlining factors for companies to evaluate and ultimately determine whether an employee’s classification meets the standard of an independent contractor. The rule is modeled after California AB 5.
“For nearly two years [Su] continues to serve as President [Joe] Biden’s acting secretary of Labor, well after the U.S. Senate rejected her nomination — ill-suited to serve based on her unwillingness to explain her role in California’s AB 5 assault on independent contractors,” Spear observed. “When it comes to representing our members, ATA remains entirely committed to the 350,000 independent contractors that support our industry.”
Spear highlighted the anxiety some stakeholders feel regarding government efforts to speed adoption of zero-emission vehicles. “Anyone that’s ever rented an [electric vehicle] has experienced range anxiety,” he said. “Let’s ease those fears by adopting a common-sense approach toward the environment, one that reduces emissions and doesn’t bankrupt an industry — now moving 72.5% of our nation’s freight, including everything American families need just to get by.”
He also highlighted attention at the federal level to enhance parking capacity for the nation’s truck drivers. A fiscal 2025 House bill would dedicate $200 million for truck parking programs. The legislation is likely to gain consideration when Congress resumes its legislative agenda the week following the presidential election.
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Promoting the industry’s workforce is another top issue for the federation. ATA has touted the recent enactment of a bill — the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act — which aims to ensure certain veterans’ benefits are approved without delay at commercial driving schools.
“ATA has taken steps to make sure your voice is being heard on the Hill, throughout this administration, in our statehouses as well as national media,” Spear said, adding, “Our research gives us the street cred we need to overcome a divided electorate, while our programs bring our story to life, highlighting our trucks, drivers and countless benefits we bring each day to American families.” Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), explained how its provisions work to improve veterans’ access to commercial driver licenses.
“America is duty-bound to care for our veterans when they return home. That’s why I wanted to remove roadblocks to good-paying jobs for our vets,” said the senator, a senior member of the Commerce Committee on freight policy. “I’m grateful my bill enabling veterans to get CDL licenses more easily was signed into law.”
Continued focus on reforming aspects of the justice system also remains central to ATA’s agenda. “ATA won’t stand for the plaintiff bar’s abuse of the civil litigation system,” Spear noted. “And our efforts are paying off. In 2024, 13 more states introduced lawsuit abuse reform bills.”
During the address, Spear pressed for a repeal of the World War I-era 12% excise tax on new trucks. Congress has yet to vote on repealing the tax, which is opposed by leading freight stakeholders.
“This administration needs to wake up, stop picking favorites and start focusing on the overall goal — reducing emissions,” he said. “Incentivize the replacement of aging trucks and engines by repealing the federal excise tax. Allow renewable fuels for diesel engines. Real solutions that further cut emissions, starting today.”
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