Mast’s bill addresses supply chain issues by removing specific trucking restriction

To keep America’s supply chain moving more efficiently, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) on Jan. 10 introduced legislation that would eliminate a specific restriction on America’s interstate truckers. 

“For the better part of two years, families have struggled to get the goods they need, from baby formula to toilet paper, and Joe Biden has failed to fix it,” Rep. Mast said. “The first bill I am introducing this Congress keeps our promise to fix the supply chain by cutting through red tape that keeps qualified drivers off the road.”

Rep. Mast sponsored the Ceasing Age-Based (CAB) Trucking Restrictions Act, H.R. 267, with 19 original GOP cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), David Valadao (R-CA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Steve Womack (R-AR). 

Under current federal law, picking up goods from a port is interpreted as interstate transportation even if the port is located in the same state as the distribution center or the final destination, precluding drivers under the age of 21 years from transporting those goods, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Mast’s staff.

If enacted, H.R. 267 would amend title 49 of the U.S. Code to provide that the transportation of goods from a port of entry and another place within the same state as that port does not constitute interstate transportation, according to the text of the bill, which has been referred to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for consideration. 

“House Republicans are ready to get to work and deliver for the American people,” added Rep. Mast.