The trucking industry on Wednesday awoke to a decisive victory for Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump and his running mate Senator J.D. Vance, and met the news with congratulations and enthusiasm for the new administration to make its mark on trucking
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association welcomed Trump's win with a statement from its president, Todd Spencer.
"OOIDA and the 150,000 small business truckers we represent congratulate Donald Trump and J.D. Vance on their resounding victory," Spencer said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the Trump Administration and Congressional allies to advance a pro-trucker agenda, which includes expanding truck parking, stopping unworkable environmental mandates, and preventing a dangerous speed limiter mandate."
Overdrive has extensively detailed the trucking-related records of Trump and Vance, but OOIDA sought to specially shout out Vance's support of its "top two legislative priorities," namely the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act and the DRIVE Act.
[Related: Where Trump's VP pick J.D. Vance stands on speed limiters, brokering fraud, parking]
Of the DRIVE Act, which seeks to block FMCSA's pursuit of a speed limiter mandate, Spencer said the following:
“Studies and research have already proven what we were all taught long ago in driver’s ed classes -- that traffic is safest when vehicles all travel at the same relative speed. Limiting trucks to speeds below the flow of traffic increases interactions between vehicles, which can lead to more crashes.”
[Related: Speed limiters at 68 mph still speculation, but drivers hate it anyway]
“You can’t wipe the smile off my face,” said David Owen, President of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies.
Also congratulating the winning candidate, Owen noted he's hopeful a second Trump administration delivers on promises to rein in bloated federal agencies, particularly in the area of emissions regulation at the Environmental Protection Agency that has contributed to trucking market difficulty over the last years, impacting any industry reliant on fossil fuel.
“I’m pro-business, pro-small business,” Owen said. “What we can take from [the election result] is that the country is sick and tired of sending money to Washington ... and having that money going to agencies that have turned against the populace." After profound difficulties of the last few years, "I think it’s a great day for trucking,” he added, particularly with regard to the business environment.
"It won't improve overnight," he said, but felt confident pro-business policy would deliver under a second Trump administration.
[Related: When will freight markets turn to the positive for truckers?]
Grassroots truck driver advocacy group CDL Drivers Unlimited's Lee and Lisa Schmitt extended their own congratulations to the president-elect. "We are excited to work with his team and administration," CDLDU noted in a statement, with Lee adding that “political advocacy requires perseverance and a Trump mentality. Fight, fight, fight, and never give up.”
The group was hopeful its Driver Advocacy Network, in position across the country starting earlier this year, couild well "help President Trump in completing his mission of promises made, promises kept."
The Schmitts and CDLDU played a role in the Republican primary leading into this year's general election, instrumental in hosting primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa, for a "Driver's Summit" prior to that state's first-in-the-nation caucuses in that state. CDLDU called the event "a turning point for truck drivers to believe that their voices could be heard in Washington, D.C."
[Related: DOT leaders, U.S. presidents have 'failed trucking']
Early results indicate that not only did Trump win the White House, but his party also secured a Senate majority and likely picked up at least one seat in the House.
The American Trucking Associations likewise congratulated Trump, and also looked at the legislative and regulatory possibilities.
"We congratulate President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on their victory and look forward to working with their transition team and new administration in the days and months ahead," ATA President Chris Spear said in a statement.
ATA lauded Trump for making "trucking a priority" in his first term while looking forward to his second term, which "offers an historic opportunity to build upon that record," Spear said, then echoing Owen with reference the EPA's most recent Phase 3 emissions regulations. "That begins by replacing EPA's electric-truck rule with national emission standards that are technologically achievable and account for the operational realities of our essential industry."
Trump has indicated he would block any EV mandates and complained about the infeasibility of electric trucks, citing weight and range issues.
On the legislative front, ATA hoped Trump's tax plan, set to expire next year, could be replaced with one that repeals the 12% Federal Excise Tax on new trucks.
"ATA stands ready to work across the aisle on Capitol Hill to achieve pro-growth tax reform, including repealing the century-old, punitive Federal Excise Tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers that penalizes our industry for investing in newer, cleaner, and safer equipment," wrote Spear.
Spear said ATA also looks forward to working with Trump and Congress "on a host of policies to support our workforce, protect the right of independent truckers to choose their own career path, and end lawsuit abuse by restoring balance and fairness to the civil justice system."
The Truckload Carriers Association joined the chorus with congratulations and an eye towards getting pro-trucking legislation passed.
"Our nation has spoken, and TCA congratulates our 47th President, Donald J. Trump, on his decisive victory in the general election," TCA said in a statement. "As an association, we look forward to working with his administration and the next Congress to advance the priorities that our truckload membership has identified important to keeping America moving." --Todd Dills contributed to this report
