House Kicks Off Consideration of Transportation Funding Bill
The U.S. House on June 3 commenced its consideration of a fiscal 2016 transportation funding bill that would propose requirements for a study on an hours-of-service rule for truckers and allow changes to policies related to trailers.
Several Republicans took to the chamber’s floor to defend the bill’s trucking provisions, while Democratic funding leaders objected to the provisions’ inclusion in the legislation. The White House this week also indicated its opposition to the trucking provisions, and it threatened to veto the bill over its funding proposals.
“Riders on truck length and weight have no place on this bill. It should be left to the authorizing committees,” said Rep. David Price of North Carolina, the top Democrat on the transportation funding panel. Legislative provisions in Congress often are referred to as riders.
WATCH DEBATE LIVE: Via c-span.org
The Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill would require that before the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 34-hour restart rule is reinstated, a study must be conducted looking into the rule’s safety benefits and whether it is better for drivers when it comes to fatigue, health and work schedules. The bill would permit the use of twin 33-foot trailers as well.
Overall, the bill would provide FMCSA with $572 million. A vote on the measure is likely this week. UPDATE, June 4, 1:30 p.m. EDT: House leaders now say a vote is expected June 9.
