Bipartisan backing for ensuring truck drivers have restroom access is gaining momentum, though the path to enacting legislation remains lengthy.
Last week, Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., joined as a co-sponsor of the Trucker Bathroom Access Act (HR3869), originally introduced by Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas. This bill mandates that shipper and receiver facilities with accessible restrooms for customers and employees extend the same access to truck drivers during deliveries or pickups, without necessitating new restroom construction.
Pappas’ endorsement brings the total co-sponsors to six, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. Despite shared agreement on the issue, securing co-sponsors has been a gradual process. Nehls initially introduced the bill in the previous Congressional session and reintroduced it last June.
Instances of truck drivers being denied restroom access surged at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, with many facilities maintaining restrictions since then. Nehls has labeled the act a “no-brainer” due to its zero cost to businesses. However, he noted during a House hearing last year that certain lobbyists had attempted to thwart the bill’s progress.
“I just want to put on the record to all the lobbyists and trade associations that are trying to sink this bill, ‘I really don’t care what you think on this issue,’” Nehls said. “Just imagine if Congress banned lobbyists from using restrooms as you wait outside these committee rooms or offices. Imagine if you were told – all you lobbyists – ‘Go outside and find a tree. Go find a fire hydrant. Go outside and relieve yourself, because we’re not going to let you do it in here.’ How long do you think that would last? What do we want to do, treat our truckers like cats and dogs?”
Several trucking organizations, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the Women in Trucking Association, and the American Trucking Associations, endorse the Trucker Bathroom Access Act.
“If a business provides restroom access to customers or employees, they should provide the same access to truck drivers who are loading or unloading cargo at the business,” OOIDA wrote.
Truckers are urged to visit OOIDA’s Fighting For Truckers website to rally support from their lawmakers.
Source: Land Line
