We have been watching the incoming Trump Administration’s cabinet and secretary level nominations with great interest. So many of the rules governing the trucking industry are regulations rather than laws. Appointments to the departments of transportation, labor, energy as well as the EPA have a significant amount of sway in how we do business and, thereby, in the availability and costs of trucks and drivers.
DOT: As an industry, we were pleased with the nomination of Sean Duffy as the Secretary of Transportation. While a US Representative, Mr. Duffy advocated for pro-trucking and infrastructure-building policies.
EPA: We were also pleased with the nomination of Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Mr. Zeldin has already stated his mission is deregulation, which is a mission we can get behind.
DOL: The nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the Secretary of Labor is a missed opportunity. While in the US House of Representatives, Ms. Chavez-DeRemer was one of only three republican members who signed onto the anti-independent contractor bill, the PRO Act. We have always advocated for choice. Truck drivers should have the right to choose their path, whether it be employment or independence. We will be watching this appointment closely.
Many key nominations remain, and we will be watching closely for their impact to all segments of the supply chain.