From: Gary Faley, National Legislative Director
To: NARVRE Membership:
Consider this an update on our continual work opposing proposals for heavier trucks in the U.S. Congress. NARVRE has an ongoing working relationship with the rail carriers (AAR) and rail labor, of course, as the rail industry stands to lose business if more cargo could be moved on bigger trucks and intermodal truck-rail freight shipping, causing more employee furloughs affecting railroad retirement.
Other advocacy groups in opposition to larger trucks include environmental and safety organizations which were instrumental in the temporary legislative reprieve in Congress (article below) while highlighting the higher risks involved for first responders, truck drivers and motorists engaged in essential travel during the virus pandemic. That time-limited action (now expired) was a bipartisan agreement, which the groups all aspire to in lobbying against increased truck weights.
We are always involved with the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) over many years and work together with the designated staffs in the Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and other House and Senate committees.
The staffers on the hill are key to each success, and they work for members from both parties. The joined efforts have been to strengthen bipartisan strategies for common sense and safer highways and bipartisan victories have been the result over many years.
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (saferoads.org) summed it up well..."Congress now stands with the public in their opposition to assaults on truck safety". However, we will all keep a vigilant eye and advise the membership.
