A congressional caucus is a group of legislators who come together around shared priorities and objectives. In this case, the focus is on trucking.

According to a letter filed on Dec. 12 to register the caucus, the group will be “dedicated to issues related to the trucking industry and the policies that promote integrity, safety, and the growth of our nation’s trucking economy.”

Who is leading the Congressional Trucking Caucus?

The caucus is being co-chaired by a mix of Republican and Democratic representatives from across the country. Those lawmakers include Reps. Dave Taylor of Ohio, Shomari Figures of Alabama, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Pat Harrigan of North Carolina, Doug LaMalfa of California, and Mary Miller of Illinois.

Organizers say the caucus is intended not only to address legislation that affects trucking but also to serve as an educational resource for members of Congress who may not have direct experience with the industry.

Why lawmakers say the caucus is needed

Rep. Dave Taylor pointed to both the size of the trucking industry and recent safety concerns as reasons for launching the caucus.

“Generating nearly $906 billion in revenue in 2024, America’s trucking industry powers our economy by creating 8.4 million jobs and securing American supply chains,” Taylor said. “After several tragic accidents occurred recently because of CDL drivers who could not read the road signs, it’s evident that change is needed to protect American lives on the road. I’m proud to launch the Congressional Trucking Caucus alongside my colleagues to create a forum for discussing policy solutions to keep all drivers safe on American roads, support hardworking truck drivers, and ensure the accessibility of reliable transportation across our Nation.”

Supporters say the caucus gives lawmakers a formal venue to discuss safety standards, workforce issues, and policies that impact carriers and drivers nationwide.

Industry groups back the new caucus.

The launch of the Congressional Trucking Caucus has already drawn support from major trucking organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, and the Truckload Carriers Association.

Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the American Trucking Associations, emphasized the role trucking plays in everyday life and the importance of having informed lawmakers involved.

“America’s trucking industry is essential to our economy, our national security, and our way of life. Over 8.4 million hardworking Americans deliver more than three-quarters of the nation’s freight, and 80 percent of communities rely solely on trucks to receive their goods,” Hanscom said. “The American Trucking Associations commends Reps. Taylor and Figures for forming this bipartisan caucus that will prioritize issues important to truckers. We look forward to working with them to expand the Congressional Trucking Caucus’ size and influence on Capitol Hill and to advance legislation that will help keep our industry strong for the long haul.”

What this could mean for drivers and carriers

While the caucus does not create new laws on its own, it establishes trucking as a dedicated policy focus within Congress. For drivers and carriers, that could mean more informed discussions around safety, workforce standards, and regulatory decisions that affect day-to-day operations.

By bringing trucking issues into a formal bipartisan forum, supporters believe the caucus can help ensure the industry’s voice is heard as transportation policy continues to evolve.

As the caucus grows and attracts more members, industry groups say they plan to stay engaged and provide input on issues that matter most to the people moving freight every day.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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The current surface transportation authorization, often referred to as the highway bill, is set to expire on September 30, 2026. This legislation plays a major role in determining how transportation funding is distributed and what policies will shape the trucking industry.

Since highway bills typically cover five years, the decisions made now will have lasting effects on drivers, fleets, and the nation’s infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has invited the public to share what they believe should be prioritized.

As of Wednesday, August 13, more than 300 comments had been posted to Regulations.gov, with many coming from truck drivers. The top requests include better road conditions, expanded truck parking, more flexibility in hours-of-service rules, and improved access to restrooms.

Jeremy Overfield, a professional driver, expressed frustration over the condition of U.S. highways and bridges despite the significant contributions truckers make to the Highway Trust Fund.

“As one of the millions of truck drivers out here, I depend on my health and the longevity of my equipment to keep goods moving and to support my family,” he wrote. “… As much tax money that we shell out, there’s absolutely no reason for our infrastructure to be in the shape (it is) in.”

Overfield also pointed to the ongoing shortage of truck parking, calling it “a huge issue and seriously needs to be addressed.”

Another driver, Alan Obando, urged the DOT to reconsider the current electronic logging device (ELD) mandate and voiced concerns over rigid hours-of-service regulations, noting that drivers, often paid by the mile, are left focusing on maximizing miles instead of prioritizing safety.

“Since the clock is always ticking down, instead of having flexibility, drivers are more focused on maximizing their mileage covered for the day, not the safety and comfort of the motoring public,” Obando wrote.

John Koglman, a board member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), echoed calls for more parking and restroom access.

OOIDA has long pushed for both the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act and the Trucker Bathroom Access Act to be part of the upcoming highway bill. The first would allocate $755 million to expand truck parking nationwide, while the second would ensure shippers and receivers cannot deny drivers access to restrooms already on site.

During a House hearing earlier this year, OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh outlined several priorities for drivers: more parking, restroom access, stronger driver training programs, broker transparency, and greater hours-of-service flexibility. He also said truckers oppose increases in truck size and weight limits, higher minimum liability insurance requirements, lowering the interstate CDL age, and other burdensome mandates.

How to Submit a Comment

The DOT is accepting public input on highway bill priorities until August 20. To participate, visit Regulations.gov and search for Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468.

Image Source: Freightwave
Source: Land Line Media

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“More than ever, we need to plan transportation and infrastructure investments – especially for freight – by looking at the big picture,” the DOT stated in a recent update. “This means considering all transportation modes and both public and private sector needs to maintain America’s competitive edge globally.”

The agency emphasized the need to hear from private industry professionals and everyday users of the system: “DOT recognizes the importance of engaging with the public and private industry to develop a clear and inclusive national vision for freight transportation … As daily users of the system, private-sector perspectives are vital inputs for understanding operational challenges along the freight system. DOT seeks information directly from the public and stakeholders to inform development of this national freight strategy.”

What Is the National Freight Strategic Plan?

The current NFSP, first released in 2020, outlines three core goals that have shaped freight planning at federal, state, and local levels:

• Improve the safety, security, and resilience of the national freight system
• Modernize infrastructure and operations to support economic growth and enhance quality of life
• Support technology, data, and workforce development to strengthen freight system performance

As part of the 2025 update process, the DOT wants to know if these priorities still hold true—and what new strategies or tools may be needed to meet evolving challenges in the industry.

Why This Matters to Truckers and the Freight Industry

Organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have previously used this opportunity to advocate for real change. In comments submitted for the 2020 plan, the association emphasized that deteriorating roadways, limited truck parking, and overregulation are serious problems affecting small-business drivers.

“As DOT prepares its National Freight Strategic Plan, we urge the Department to consider improvements to the nation’s transportation system that would increase efficiencies and alleviate costs for small-business truckers,” OOIDA wrote. “The NFSP must address deteriorating highway infrastructure that results in lost productivity and compensation for drivers. The plan also must prioritize fixing the nation’s truck parking crisis and address other institutional barriers, such as excessive detention time that can be mitigated through more practical federal policies.”

The Questions DOT Wants Answered

To build the updated NFSP, the DOT is asking the public to weigh in on 10 key questions, including:

• Do the original 2020 goals still reflect the most urgent freight priorities today?
• What metrics should be used to track the health and performance of the freight system?
• How can public and private investments better support industry growth and infrastructure reliability?
• What barriers—regulatory, technological, or otherwise—still hinder the freight system?
• How do freight operations affect rural and underserved communities, and how can those impacts be addressed?

Other questions focus on how new technologies, disaster resilience, and multi-jurisdictional coordination can be improved across freight networks.

How to Share Your Feedback

The DOT is accepting public comments on the National Freight Strategic Plan through August 14, 2025. To submit your thoughts:

• Visit Regulations.gov
• Search for Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0369
• Fill out the comment form and share your insights

Source: Land Line Media

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