The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and other major freight stakeholders are urging Congress to advance new safety and efficiency programs as part of the nation’s next transportation policy roadmap. With key infrastructure decisions approaching, the trucking industry is calling for targeted investment in parking, technology, emissions reduction, and roadway improvements to strengthen supply chains and protect drivers.
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, industry groups have pressed lawmakers and the White House to adopt a bipartisan transportation agenda. Their priorities focus on long-standing challenges, such as truck parking shortages, workforce safety, and the integration of emerging technologies.
Truck Parking: A Top Priority
At a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in July, ATA President Chris Spear emphasized the urgent need for federal investment in truck parking. Expanding safe, accessible parking would not only protect drivers but also support recruitment and retention efforts across the industry.
“The lack of parking isn’t just a safety issue—it’s a barrier to attracting new drivers, especially women and other underrepresented groups,” ATA told lawmakers.
Truck parking remains at the top of the American Transportation Research Institute’s annual list of industry concerns. This year, a House transportation funding bill proposed $200 million toward expanding truck parking capacity. ATA has also endorsed the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), which is expected to be included in next year’s multiyear highway policy bill.
Tackling Cargo Theft and Security
Alongside parking, ATA has pressed lawmakers to address cargo theft a growing challenge for carriers nationwide. Recent congressional efforts target organized theft rings and international criminal networks. Strengthening law enforcement coordination is seen as a key step toward protecting freight and keeping supply chains secure.
Broader Transportation Policy Goals
Other transportation groups are also shaping the agenda. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has called for flexible federal funding, streamlined project delivery, and expanded safety programs. Meanwhile, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) continues to sound the alarm on deteriorating roadways, giving the U.S. network a grade of D+ in its latest infrastructure report card.
According to ASCE, nearly 40% of major U.S. roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Poor infrastructure costs drivers more than $1,400 annually in repairs, fuel, and lost time, while roadway fatalities remain stubbornly high at nearly 41,000 deaths in 2023.
What’s Next for Congress
House and Senate transportation committees are already laying the groundwork for a new multiyear surface transportation bill. Lawmakers will revisit climate initiatives, expand roadway projects, and consider emerging freight technologies.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chair of the Commerce Committee, stressed trucking’s central role:
“America’s trucking and motorcoach industries are more than just transportation—they are the lifeblood of our economy.”
On the House side, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urged Congress to focus on core highway investments while cutting inefficiencies. Ranking Democrat Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) pledged bipartisan cooperation, assuring industry leaders that the committee aims to deliver a strong, bipartisan highway bill.
The Trump administration has signaled support for a highway-focused bill that streamlines permitting and cuts red tape. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told AASHTO members:
“I want more time spent building and less time spent on paperwork.”
The Road Ahead
A major hurdle for lawmakers will be securing long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund, which relies on outdated fuel tax rates set in 1993. Without a revenue fix, federal highway programs could face shortfalls as early as 2026.
The last major reauthorization came in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a $1.2 trillion package that set funding through fall 2026. As the deadline approaches, Congress must decide how to balance traditional road investments with new technology, safety, and environmental priorities, all while ensuring trucking has the resources it needs to keep America moving.
