House Bill Includes $200 Million for Truck Parking Projects
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WASHINGTON — A transportation bill approved June 27 by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee includes $200 million for truck parking operations nationwide.
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee easily approved a fiscal 2025 bill that would ensure funding for myriad programs and systems managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The bill’s truck parking provision would be managed by DOT’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program. Priority would be given to parking projects along rural corridors.
American Trucking Associations praised the directive and for the panel’s move to amplify the need for greater parking availability for commercial vehicle drivers. ATA has repeatedly championed greater investments for parking programs.
Spear
“The severe shortage of truck parking places an enormous burden on truck drivers, who often don’t know if they will be able to find a safe place to sleep when they finish their shift. This significant investment to expand parking capacity would help alleviate stress on truck drivers, move freight more efficiently and make the roadways safer for all motorists,” ATA President Chris Spear said June 26.
“We thank the members of the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee for prioritizing this funding that will benefit truck drivers and our supply chain, and we are especially appreciative of the decisive leadership of [Rep. Steve] Womack for ensuring this provision was incorporated in the final bill,” Spear added. Womack (R-Ark.) is the bill’s sponsor. The measure also would dedicate funds for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Womack said, “Focusing DOT and HUD programs on vital infrastructure, transportation safety and housing needs while protecting taxpayer dollars is my top priority for the [fiscal year 2025] Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill.” He added, “Unprecedented spending levels cannot continue in perpetuity, which is why this legislation ensures agencies prioritize their core mission.”
My @HouseAppropsGOP Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill delivers real results for hardworking Arkansans and Americans nationwide.
This legislation supports our nation's truck drivers, promotes safety, and benefits our supply chain. https://t.co/FAhKDmDYzy — Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) June 26, 2024
For the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the agency tasked with regulating the trucking industry, the bill would provide $909 million. Specific to industry operations, the bill includes language to deny funding for enforcement of an electronic logging device rule linked to the transport of livestock or insects. It also would pave the way for the prohibition of speed limiting devices in commercial vehicles. However, the measure is not final.
Cole
The transportation bill’s full committee consideration is scheduled for July 10, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) expressed support for the measure.
“Economic growth and development, quality of life, and transportation safety are pillars of the legislation before us. From our roads and bridges to the sea and sky, it supports the safety and security of vital transit systems while also maintaining affordable and safe housing for our most vulnerable. We protect U.S. truckers, consumers and taxpayers from onerous regulations, administrative overreach and growing threats from communist China,” Cole said.
Buttigieg
On the other side of the Capitol, Senate funding leaders indicated they plan to schedule votes on the fiscal 2025 appropriations bills after the July Fourth recess.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has urged lawmakers to approve DOT’s new fiscal budget before an Oct. 1 federal funding deadline. Congress must clear for the president’s desk the upcoming fiscal year bills by Sept. 30 to avert a partial shutdown.
On June 26, DOT announced nearly $2 billion for infrastructure projects nationwide. The secretary credited the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
Today the Biden-Harris administration announces new funding for 148 projects in all 50 states, four territories, and D.C.
After years of disinvestment, these projects will make our roads safer, improve quality of life, and strengthen supply chains to keep consumer costs down. pic.twitter.com/84rv8nlJqo — Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 26, 2024
“After decades of underinvestment, the condition of America’s infrastructure is now finally getting better instead of worse — and today we proudly announce our support for 148 more projects in communities of every size across the country,” Buttigieg said. “Through President [Joe] Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re funding projects across the country to make roads safer, make it easier for people to move around their community, make transportation infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, and improve supply chains to keep costs down for consumers,” he added.
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