ATA praises approval of driver recruitment, anti-trafficking bills

American Trucking Associations applauded the approval of the Jobs for our Heroes Act and the Combating Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act. The previous streamlines the process for active-duty military, reservists and veterans to apply for a commercial driver’s license, while the latter fights human trafficking by appointing an official of the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead efforts to prevent trafficking across the agency, along with other measures.

“In addition to the major tax reform bill passed last year, these pieces of legislation will have a significant impact, addressing two separate yet very important issues affecting trucking,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “While ATA continues to work on major issues like tax reform, infrastructure and trade, it is important that we secure victories in other areas to continue to advance trucking’s agenda.”

The Jobs for our Heroes Act will not only help military veterans transition into careers in trucking, but also increase the size of the workforce to help meet industry freight demand, said CRST International Inc. Chairman John Smith, chairman of ATA’s Workforce Development Policy Committee. In June, Spear sent a letter in support of the Jobs for our Heroes Act to the bill’s sponsors. ATA also supported the approval of the Combating Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act and is a partner of Truckers Against Trafficking, a nonprofit helping the trucking industry fight human trafficking.

“The trucking industry is on the front lines in the fight against the crime of human trafficking,” said Elisabeth Barna, ATA’s chief operating officer and board member of Truckers Against Trafficking. “By adding these resources to DOT, the federal government will become an even stronger partner with us as we work to raise awareness, train our workforce and combat this crime.”