Rep. Mann Introduces Legislation to Relieve Ports, Transport Goods.

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS) led 10 of his colleagues to introduce the Truckers Responding At National Shipping Ports Overcoming Retail Turmoil (TRANSPORT) Act, which would require the Secretary of Transportation to relieve congested ports during either a national state of emergency or when ports are congested by 50 percent or more. Joining Rep. Mann to introduce the legislation are Representatives Jake LaTurner (KS-02), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Michelle Steel (CA-48), David Valadao (CA-21), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Austin Scott (GA-08), Louis Gohmert (TX-01), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Randy Weber (TX-14), and August Pflueger (TX-11).

The TRANSPORT Act would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue federal grants from unused relief dollars to motor carriers to transport goods from a port of entry to a destination point. It would also temporarily waive operating standards should those standards be more stringent than the federal standard, allowing U.S. Department of Transportation compliant trucks and drivers from other states to relieve ports and transport goods across the country.

"I’ve heard from Kansas farmers and truck drivers who are prepared to drive to California and collect goods because they understand the looming catastrophic results of congestion continuing at our ports," said Rep. Mann. "If we have truckers who are willing and able to drive across the country to secure and distribute goods that are backed up at ports in other states, the government should remove any red tape standing in the way of that solution. Implementing the TRANSPORT Act is a step towards solving the supply chain crisis, giving Americans the ability to help themselves and their neighbors, and making America's economy strong again."

“California’s liberal policies like AB-5 have made it more difficult for truckers to come into the state – which has only made this supply chain crisis worse. Allowing more trucks that comply with federal regulations to come into California will help alleviate this bottleneck affecting all Americans. I’m proud to join Rep. Mann in introducing this bill to help relieve the backlog at our ports.” said Rep. Steel.

"President Biden's failing economic agenda has caused a supply chain crisis fueled by a worsening labor shortage. Kansans are facing empty shelves and skyrocketing prices because everyday goods are sitting on cargo ships or stuck in ports," said Rep. LaTurner. "I want to thank my fellow Kansan for introducing this legislation that would remove burdensome shipping regulations and help clear up some of the congestion in our supply chains."

“Our nation is facing horrific supply chain challenges, and it is vital that Congress acts. Billions of dollars worth of goods are currently sitting off the coast of California, yet the administration has put forward no serious solutions to resolve this crisis," said Rep. Valadao. "That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the Truckers Responding At National Shipping Ports Overcoming Retail Turmoil Act. Through this legislation, we will alleviate our supply chain challenges and help our nations’ businesses to return to normal operations.”

“There is no reason the country should be sitting on unused and already-passed COVID funds when our supply chain is in crisis,” said Rep. Mullin. “Repurposing these dollars toward motor carriers will help alleviate the current logjam of cargo ships overcrowding our ports and creating safety and environmental risks. It is crucial our transportation systems return to operating smoothly and efficiently to get goods where they need to go. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation.”

“The impacts of President Biden’s supply chain catastrophe are reverberating throughout the country—causing shortages from the grocery store to construction sites,” said Rep. Pfluger. “I am proud to support this legislation to unleash Texans who are willing and ready to transport critical energy and agriculture products from the 11th District across the Nation.”

Click here to view the full text of the legislation.

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