At the October 2022 Regulatory Committee meeting, NMFTA was asked to develop letter templates you can use to weigh in on two important bipartisan trucking-related bills now being considered on Capitol Hill:
- The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 2187) will provide grants to help address the serious shortage of truck parking.
- The Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act (S. 2435/H.R. 8116) would repeal the 12 percent Federal excise tax on large trucks.
Tell Congress it’s time to pass these bills. Your personal appeal can help drive support. These short, clear templates will help you craft a message that can easily be emailed or mailed to your legislators. Just copy and paste these messages, enter your details where you see the bracketed prompts, and either paste it into an email with the suggested subject line, or print, sign, and mail the letter to your senator or representative.
Need to know who represents you? Find your legislators at the links below:
H.R.2187 – The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
Copy and paste the letter below into your email message or document.
Subject Line: Please Support the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
I am writing as [title] for [company], a motor carrier headquartered in [state] that does business in [describe service area]. On behalf of my [insert number of] employees who work in our facilities in [insert state] and the many other drivers who drive into and through the state, I am writing to urge you to vote in favor of the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 2187).
This much-needed legislation is a critical step toward addressing the serious shortage of truck parking, which affects our drivers regularly. The bill would provide $755 million in competitive grants to states over four years (2023-2026) to expand truck parking capacity, which would reduce the need for drivers to park in illegal or unsafe spaces, or to continue driving after their allowed driving hours have expired.
For example, [give an example or two of how it has affected you in your business]. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation has noted this issue is a national concern because it not only affects drivers, but affects energy consumption and supply chain efficiency, among other things.
Therefore, it is important that Congress pass this act as soon as possible to ensure these critical infrastructure grants move forward.
I respectfully request that you support H.R. 2187. Thank you for your attention and consideration of my views. I look forward to your response.
S.2435/H.R.8116: The Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act
Copy and paste the letter below into your email message or document.
Subject Line: Please Support the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act
I am writing as [title] for [company], a motor carrier headquartered in [state] that does business in [describe service area], to urge you to support the bipartisan Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act (S.2435/H.R.8116).
This long-overdue legislation would repeal the 12 percent federal excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers, a tax originally enacted in 1917 to pay for World War I. This tax adversely affects our ability to purchase new trucks that are safer and better for the environment, adding up to $30,000 to the price of these commercial vehicles. This tax is higher than excise tax on any other goods and cuts into the ability of fleets at companies like mine to modernize operations and better address current supply change challenges and shortages.
As another example, [give an example or two of what opportunities might open up for your business if this tax were repealed].
With your support, you can help ensure this legislation moves to the floor for full consideration. I respectfully request that you cosponsor S.2435/H.R.8116. Thank you for your attention and consideration of my views. I look forward to your response.
