Representative Sharice Davids | Representative Sharice Davids Official Website
Representative Sharice Davids | Representative Sharice Davids Official Website
In a hearing last week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted to approve Representative Sharice Davids’ amendment to a bipartisan package focused on reinforcing the nation’s supply chain and protecting it from future disruptions. Davids’ amendment strengthens a pilot program to study the impact of increased trucking weights, a critical part of the supply chain for consumer goods and other industries.
The package includes over a dozen bills focused on making needed transportation safety updates and improving supply chain flexibility and resiliency. Davids amended H.R. 3372, introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), which would establish a voluntary pilot program for states to increase truck weights on federal interstates. The program will study the impact of increasing weights up to 91,000 lbs. on six axles with an additional braking system.
Davids’ amendment changed the length from 10 years to a 5-year program with the option to extend for another 5 years, a suggestion that was welcomed by both parties to preserve the pilot nature of the study. If adopted, this change could reduce the number of trucks on the road, lowering greenhouse gas emissions while helping get more goods from ship to shelf in a safe and efficient manner.
“One thing we’ve learned over the last few years is just how critical our domestic supply chain is to our economy and our everyday lives. I was glad to work with my Republican colleagues to come at this issue from a new angle, creating a national pilot program that will study increased truck weights and improved safety features,” said Davids. “If successful, we will be able to lower emissions and strengthen our supply chain, avoiding costly shortages and delays that hurt Kansas businesses and consumers. I look forward to continuing bipartisan cooperation on this issue.”
“I know sometimes people think this town is only about politics, but I really want to applaud a number of members on the other side of the aisle who are focused on policy. Ms. Davids did exactly what you’re supposed to do,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD). “I want to thank Ms. Davids and others for working hard to get to yes.”
Through her leadership in passing bipartisan legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act and the infrastructure law, Davids has worked to address supply chain challenges and support Kansas’ economy. She hosted former U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh on a visit to Johnson County Community College’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program last October to highlight those efforts, hosted a CDL student as her guest at this year’s State of the Union address, and introduced legislation to support female truck drivers alongside Senator Jerry Moran last Congress. In her third term, Davids has cited implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law and CHIPS and Science Act as major priorities.
Original source can be found here.
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