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A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives urged the Biden Administration to address the current CDL Driver Shortage. In a letter, 67 Congressional Members highlighted the need for the Administration to address “new challenges - such as supply chain issues and inflation [that] are plaguing the transportation industry.“ Specifically, the bipartisan group encourages the Department of Transportation “to consider modifying the hazardous materials training and testing requirements to focus on HAZMAT specific education.” The letter also encourages the Department to consider streamlining the TSA Security Threat enrollment process that would allow CDL Drivers to enroll in more than one program - Transportation Worker Identification Credential (“TWIC”), HAZMAT, and TSA Pre Check.
Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, championed the letter. “The American people are hurting from supply chain issues, increased prices at the pump, inflation and more. We must take action to help hardworking Americans. Our letter suggests safe steps that can reduce the supply change backlog by ensuring an uninterrupted delivery of motor fuel products of which our country relies,” said Balderson.
The letter comes a month after the Energy Marketers of America’s (EMA) DC Conference and “Day on the Hill” where EMA state associations discussed issues plaguing the motor fuels industry and encouraged Congressional Members to join the CDL driver shortage letter.
“The HAZMAT truck driver shortage is serious, and as we approach the July 4th weekend travel, EMA looks forward to working with the Administration on providing short term solutions to get qualified HAZMAT truck drivers on the road that will help alleviate prices at the pump. We thank the 67 House lawmakers, especially Congressman Balderson, who elevated this critical issue to top Biden Administration officials,” said EMA President Rob Underwood.
To read the letter, CLICK HERE.
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