Rep. Reid Ribble’s (R-Wisc.) controversial proposed amendment to H.R. 3763, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, which would allow heavier trucks on interstate highways in an effort to save shippers time and money, was rejected by the House on Nov. 3, 2015.
The amendment, No. 29, which would increase the current weight limit for a tractor-trailer from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds, was defeated by a vote of 236-187. The amendment was supported by manufacturers, shippers and trucking companies who said it would make freight shipments more efficient and reduce the number of trucks on the road. Ribble added that trucks leave dairy farms and paper mills in his district half full because they've reached the maximum weight limit.
The amendment was opposed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which said that allowing heavier trucks on the nation’s highways “will cost taxpayers billions of dollars in damaged roads and bridges”; safety advocates, who said it would lead to more traffic deaths; and most Democrats, who complained it would lead to more wear and tear on roads and undermine safety.
"We are facing a capacity crunch in the United States today," Ribble said, adding that freight tonnage overall is forecast to increase 25% in the next decade. He noted that about half of states already allow heavier trucks on state and local roads. It would be safer, he said, to move those trucks onto interstates instead.
"That presumes moms, dads and kids don't use the interstate highway system. In my district, they do," shot back Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.).
The amendment was offered to a bill to set transportation policy for the next six years. It is the first major bill on the House floor since Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), became speaker last week, and lawmakers plan to spend days debating scores of amendments. That reflected Ryan's promise to give rank-and-file lawmakers greater clout in shaping legislation — something they complained they lacked under Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who resigned under fire last week.
The amendment has been the focus of an intense lobbying battle between the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, which represents industries supporting heavier trucks, and the AAR, which represents freight railroads.
"The added truck weight will further destroy precious national infrastructure and cost taxpayers dearly," said Edward R. Hamberger, AAR President and CEO. “In addition to damaging infrastructure, bigger trucks with bigger loads will increase fuel consumption by millions of gallons a year, generate increased greenhouse gas emissions and divert more freight to the country’s already gridlocked highways,” Hamberger added.