Bucshon has second bill signed into law by President

(Washington, DC) – On Tuesday, President Obama signed H.R. 3095, a bill sponsored by Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) into law. H.R. 3095 is a bipartisan measure to require due process on a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidance and save America’s trucking industry $1 billion dollars. This marks the second bill authored by Bucshon that President Obama has signed into law.

The law passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and was referred to as a show case for “…what just might be the most efficient Congress has been in years.” (POLITICO; 9/24/2013)

“H.R. 3095 is a common sense, responsible bill with the potential to save the trucking industry $1 billion that received bipartisan support in Congress,” said Bucshon. “FMSCA will now have to go through the proper rule making process if it wants to weigh in on sleep apnea and incorporate the stakeholders, including the trucking community and medical professional.  I am very pleased to have worked with my colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle to get H.R. 3095 passed into law.”

 

“While this issue has been a major one for the truck and bus industry, with the potential to result in expensive and damaging litigation, HR 3095 has always been about improving safety by following the formal rule-making process and including input from the major stakeholders,” said Lipinski. “I am proud to have worked with my colleagues from across the aisle in sponsoring this legislation, moving it through Congress and passing it into law. This is how Washington should work.”

 

“We were very pleased with the bipartisan approach to this bill – in a very partisan atmosphere – and are delighted the President quickly signed it into law,” said Bill Graves, President and CEO of ATA. “It puts the Department of Transportation on the proper path, and ATA is optimistic that any rulemaking on this issue will be collaborative and informed.”

Timeline of the H.R. 3095:

• September 12, 2013 – H.R. 3095 is introduced with the support of the American Trucking Association, American Bus Association, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, National School Transportation Association, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and United Motorcoach Association.

• September 19, 2013 – H.R. 3095 unanimously passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

• September 26, 2013 – H.R. 3095 passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 405 to 0.
• October 4, 2013 – H.R. 3095 passed the Senate by with unanimous consent.

• October 15, 2013 – H.R. 3095 is signed into law by President Obama.