White House Threatens to Veto Senate Transportation Funding Bill
The Obama administration on May 16 indicated it would veto a fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill in the Senate if the bill’s final version includes provisions that go beyond the scope of funding legislation. A provision in the bill would set at 73 hours the allowable hours per week truckers may work before taking a break.
The administration said it is concerned the bill could potentially undercut public safety if the Senate approves the hours-of-service provision.
“The administration strongly objects to the inclusion of problematic ideological provisions that are beyond the scope of funding legislation,” the administration wrote in its statement of administration policy.
The hours of service provision is included in a $56 billion fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill senators are considering this week.
The bill would address a technicality in a fiscal 2016 funding law. American Trucking Associations Executive Vice President and Chief of National Advocacy, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Dave Osiecki said ATA does not support the proposed cap. However, Osiecki added, ATA understands and appreciates the Senate's reason for including the weekly hours cap.
