Regulations impact trucker shortage

America’s truckers keep our supply chain and our economy moving. They bring products to market, keep our grocery shelves stocked and get packages to their destinations.

However, there is currently a shortage of interstate truckers, and limitations on interstate Commercial driver's licenses are exacerbating this shortage.

As I travel through the district and meet with Iowans, I constantly hear about the impacts of the trucking workforce shortage from trucking companies, farmers, small businesses and manufacturers alike.

For example, an 18-year-old truck driver is permitted to drive 300 miles from a project in Sioux City all the way to Dubuque County. Still, according to current regulations, the same driver is not allowed to drive a truck three miles across the Julien Dubuque Bridge for a project across the state line in Illinois.

It makes no sense. That’s why I introduced the REAL Trucking Act. This legislation will codify the ability of 18-to-20-year-olds to obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses for interstate trucking to get more Iowa truckers on the road and able to move products across state lines.

Bolstering our trucking workforce will strengthen our supply chain and lower costs, support family farmers, small businesses and manufacturers by ensuring they can get their products to market, and provide critical career opportunities outside of a four-year degree.

The REAL Trucking Act — inspired by countless conversations with Iowans — is a win-win-win.

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Corporal Ron Slagle recently retired from the Marion Police Department after 25 years of service. His entire life has been defined by serving others.

I honored Corporal Slagle on the House floor to thank him for his 25 years of protecting our communities and congratulate him on his retirement.

I had the opportunity to testify at House Agriculture Committee Member Day on the top priorities for Iowa agriculture, including improving access to precision agriculture technology, enacting a solution to Prop 12, and incentivizing farmer-led conservation initiatives rather than one size fits all mandates.

It was great to have Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird in D.C. this week to discuss our continued joint efforts to overturn Prop 12, expand access to E15 and prevent the Administration from illegally “canceling” student loan debt.

The Biden Administration will keep seeing Attorney General Bird in court.

It is always great to catch up with Iowa members of the National Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors. We discussed the importance of improving financial literacy and strategies to help Iowans save for the future and retire comfortably

The Iowa Delegation regularly gets together for breakfast to catch up and discuss how we can continue working together to serve Iowans. I'm blessed with the best colleagues in the Capitol.