Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), who serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, led a subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. The session was titled “Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries in the U.S.”
The hearing addressed key concerns within the trucking and motorcoach sectors. Discussions centered around improving safety measures, reducing regulatory challenges, and ensuring the sustainability of these transportation industries. Topics included Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations, technology deployment, freight theft and fraud issues, workforce challenges, and enforcement requirements as part of future surface transportation reauthorization.
In his opening statement, Senator Young highlighted his focus on identifying outdated federal regulations that may not enhance road safety but impose costs on private-sector innovators aiming to improve efficiency and economic growth within the transportation industry.
Senator Young also emphasized the importance of enhancing roadway infrastructure for America's commercial trucking and bus sectors to ensure they remain safe and effective. He mentioned efforts to maintain road quality by directing federal funds to support state, local, and private infrastructure projects aimed at improving roadway safety.
“Indiana is home to over 97,000 miles of public roadways and, as the Crossroads of America, Hoosiers rely heavily on our transportation infrastructure,” said Senator Young. He noted his ongoing work in Evansville, Indiana to secure federal funding for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing project. This initiative aims to complete a critical link between Indiana and Kentucky over the Ohio River by addressing traffic congestion and leveraging non-federal dollars effectively.
Full video of Young’s opening remarks can be found here.
