A bipartisan group of members of the House Committee on Agriculture sent a letter last week to committee colleagues asking them to sign on as co-sponsors to the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, originally introduced by Representative Michael Michaud (D-ME). The legislation, H.R. 1799, is important to the dairy industry because it would increase the federal weight limits for six-axle trucks on interstate highways to 97,000 pounds, improving trucking efficiency and reducing emissions.

Representatives Jean Schmidt (R-OH) and Steve Kagen (D-WI) led the effort and circulated the letter, which was initially co-signed by Representatives Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Bobby Bright (D-AL), Tim Conaway (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Betsy Markey (D-CO) and Walt Minnick (D-ID).

"IDFA applauds Representative Schmidt and Representative Kagen and the other members of the committee for seeking to broaden support for this bill," said Ruth Saunders, IDFA vice president of policy and legislative affairs.

IDFA is a member of the Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP), which represents more than 100 shippers and allied associations. CTP Executive Director John Runyan was a featured speaker at IDFA's Washington Conference in June. Many IDFA members mentioned their support for the bill during their visits to Capitol Hill that week.

Read the Schmidt-Kagen letter here.

For more information, contact Saunders at rsaunders@idfa.org.