Sen. Cory Gardner Asks Colleagues to Oppose Excise Tax Increase on Trucks
The trucking industry is supporting a resolution that calls for no increase in the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks.
A concurrent resolution Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced May 24 would express the sense of Congress that a federal excise tax on new tractor-trailers and other heavy-duty trucks “inhibits the sale of the cleanest, safest and most fuel-efficient heavy-duty trucks and trailers.”
The resolution also says that the excise on such trucks “adds uncertainty and volatility to the Highway Trust Fund due to the cyclical nature of heavy-duty truck and trailer sales,” and Congress “should carefully review the detrimental impacts” it could have on transportation policy.
“Raising the federal excise tax will significantly impact truckers and trucking companies, the backbone of interstate commerce when it comes to delivery of products and goods,” Gardner said.
“The existing 12% excise tax on new truck sales is currently among the highest excise taxes in the nation, impacting an industry that is already struggling with compliance costs associated with regulatory mandates. That’s why my resolution expresses my opposition to increasing the federal excise tax, and I’ll continue to fight against balancing Washington’s out-of-control spending on the backs of hardworking Americans,” Gardner added.
His resolution was referred to the tax-writing Finance Committee for consideration.
Top industry groups called on the senators to support the resolution.
"We look forward to working with interested stakeholders and lawmakers to create an environment where our members are able to purchase the newest, safest, most efficient trucks without penalty, while still maintaining the integrity of the Highway Trust Fund," American Trucking Associations spokesman Sean McNally said.
American Truck Dealers Chairman Steve Parker also praised the resolution.
Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the president and do not have the force of law. The Highway Trust Fund is the account that relies on money collected from fuel taxes to assist states with infrastructure maintenance programs and new projects.
