ATA, truckers back Obama’s road plan
WASHINGTON — Various trucking associations threw their support behind President Obama when he made a call for Congress to pass an extension on the Surface Transportation Bill and Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization before September 30, when the bill expires.
If Congress fails to extend the bill by the deadline, 4,000 workers could be immediately furloughed without pay, warned the president. If a long-term delay were to happen, 1 million jobs could be lost.
The current surface legislation bill expired in 2009, and Congress has given several multi-month extensions since then.
The 18.4 cents per gallon gasoline tax — which funds federal highway and transit programs — also expires on the same day.
The American Trucking Association, American Association of State Highway Transportation, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association all supported Obama on his call.
ATA Senior Vice President for Legislative Affairs Mary Phillips said that Congress needs avoid more extensions and look into long-term federal highway authorization.
She also said that Congress needs to focus on legislation that improves the efficiency and safety U.S. highways.
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