DC Update: Congress To Increase Truck Weight Limits?

FAA bill behind schedule; appears stalled until late April or May

This week involved a lot of talk but little action on issues that affect remote production. On Monday, a report suggested that White House officials are floating the idea of pairing infrastructure with a tax overhaul. According to Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune (R-SD), infrastructure may receive more attention and may be considered earlier this way. However, a White House official made it clear that the Administration has not made a final decision about the preferred approach.

On Tuesday, a meeting at the White House on an overhaul of the air-traffic–control system spurred commenters to point out that Congress is behind on the FAA bill compared with last year, when both chambers had marked up legislation by this time. It does not appear that any movement will happen before late April or even May, as the House still has two hearings left of its pledged five on the FAA.

As of Thursday, Congress has 184 days before FAA reauthorization expires. Stay tuned for more updates on its progress.

On Wednesday, representatives from Anheuser-Busch visited members of the House and Senate to discuss allowing heavier tractor-trailers on the nation’s highways. A senior director of logistics at Anheuser-Busch said the group urged lawmakers to push for creating a pilot program for a “limited number of states” to allow six-axle trucks carrying up to 91,000 lb. on those roads (the current limit is 80,000 lb.). The goal, supporters say, is to provide policymakers with more data on truck size and weight. The LSCC is actively weighing in and will keep you informed on whether Congress decides to act.

Thursday marked the 29-day countdown until DOT appropriations run out, and the highway and transit policy is up for renewal in 1,281 days.

Next week, the Senate could mark up Jeffrey Rosen’s nomination for Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Watch for next week’s DC Update.