Close to 100 freight stakeholders backed American Trucking Associations in urging President Joe Biden to step up his administration’s reaction to persistent supply chain difficulties across the country.
The industry associations, which include transportation companies, manufacturing companies, and distributors, submitted ideas to address issues about cargo connectivity. They included a scheme that would enable professional drivers under the age of 21 to travel interstate and raise the profile of supply chain jobs.
COVID-19 vaccination requirements, a regulatory delay linked to truckers’ authorized hours of operation, and a deeper investigation into the source of supply chain inefficiencies were also requested by the organizations
The groups urged Biden to keep investigating the reasons for inefficiencies at the nation’s ports, solicit insight from a wide range of stakeholders, and collaborate to reduce the bottlenecks and practices that prevent smooth transportation through the supply chain
The American Chemistry Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Restaurant Association, the National Retail Federation, and the National Roofing Contractors Association were among the stakeholderss that participated.
They also stated that necessary action may be done through continuous communication and collaboration to ensure that resources and gear are used effectively and successfully to enhance efficiency at our nation’s ports.
The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy, or DRIVE Safe Act is supported by ATA and other stakeholders
The bill, supported by Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind. ), is part of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that has cleared the Senate and is pending a vote in the House. The DRIVE Safe Act would allow drivers under the age of 21 to get interstate trucking training through apprenticeships. The bill was enacted in response to a nationwide lack of truckers. According to the American Trucking Association’s Chief Economist Bob Costello, trucking is lacking at least 80,000 truckers.
The stakeholders’ appeal to the president follows House Republicans’ warnings regarding supply chain disruptions. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee who has pressed the White House to do more to address chronic cargo connectivity problems.
In a recent interview, he stated that the issue is the administration’s policies. When you add in prolonged unemployment benefits and unreasonable vaccination regulations, it’s a recipe for disaster. That just causes a slew of logistical issues for trucking firms, transportation companies, train lines, and everything else that comes with it.
The declaration by the White House comes after a number of suggestions aimed at easing the flow of cargo, such as depending on 24-hour operations at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach.