{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-costa-lead-bill-improve-supply-chain", "Johnson, Costa Lead Bill to Improve Supply Chain", "2023-01-24", "2023", "2023-01", "Republican", "House", "SD", "Dusty Johnson", "J000301", "dustyjohnson.house.gov", "dustyjohnson", "https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Jim Costa (D-CA) introduced a sweeping overhaul of the interstate trucking supply chain system. The Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act increases safety and shipping capacity for truckers; provides recruitment and retention incentives for drivers; and includes flexibility during times of emergencies or black swan events.\n\n\u201cAmericans experienced a slew of freight disruptions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cLast year we addressed ocean shipping reform, and it\u2019s clear that updates are needed for other parts of the supply chain. The SHIP IT Act will bridge gaps, keep costs down for consumers, and make it easier for shippers to move products across the U.S.\u201d\n\n\u201cDisruptions in our trucking supply chain continue to drive up costs and create uncertainty for American consumers and producers,\u201d said Costa. \u201cWe need to recruit, train, and retain truck drivers to keep our supply chain moving, while also updating best practices to improve trucking to fit our modern economy. That is why we introduced this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the workforce and make it easier to move products across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Shippers Coalition applauds the introduction of the Safer Highway and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking \u201cSHIP IT Act.\u201d This bill is vital to strengthening our supply chain by increasing shipping capacity, lessening burdens on truck drivers, modernizing the CDL process, and allowing additional flexibilities during times of emergency. The 80+ members of the Shippers Coalition appreciate Congressman Johnson\u2019s steadfast leadership on these issues and look forward to working with him to help this critical legislation become law,\u201d saidSean Joyce, Executive Director, Shippers Coalition.\n\n\u201cHendrickson is a vital tier 1 supplier to the truck and trailer manufacturers worldwide, supplying suspensions systems, axles, brakes, springs, slider box systems, and bumpers. Hendrickson is proud to have one of its key manufacturing facilities located in the great state of South Dakota. The Mitchell, S.D. location, established in 1987, manufacturers trailer air ride componentry and other important suspension parts. Hendrickson wholly supports legislative efforts that aim to improve the trucking industry. A perfect example is the \u201cSHIP IT Act,\u201d sponsored by Congressman Johnson. Anytime we can make the recruitment of qualified truck drivers easier and with greater retention, that is a positive step for the supply chain. Additionally, addressing the efficiency of moving goods on our roadways aligns well with America\u2019s need to become more environmentally conscience, while keeping safety at the forefront. We are grateful to have Congressmen, like Representative Johnson, lead these significant and important issues,\u201d said Matt Joy, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hendrickson.\n\n\u201cThe SHIP IT Act is commonsense trucking reform legislation that will help dairy companies overcome many of the current supply chain challenges facing our industry. The legislation would bring the U.S. supply chain into the 21st century to meet the needs of shippers, reduce regulatory burdens that cost shippers millions of dollars a year, create good paying jobs, and support the ambitious sustainability goals of dairy businesses. IDFA is grateful to Reps. Dusty Johnson and Jim Costa for their leadership on this issue, and we urge swift passage of the SHIP IT Act in both chambers of Congress,\u201d said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.\n\n\u201cMilk is a perishable commodity that needs to move quickly along the supply chain from the farm to the consumer. The damages wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic and the supply chain snarls that followed have shown how important it is to find safe, efficient means of transporting goods across the country. We commend Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Jim Costa (D-CA) for their bipartisan Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act. This measure includes important provisions that will improve transportation efficiency and sustainability within the U.S. dairy industry,\u201d saidJim Mulhern, National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO.\n\n\u201cConsumer Brands is grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Congressmen Johnson and Costa in championing new legislation that will safely allow for less empty miles driven, a more robust and well-trained trucking workforce and a stronger national supply chain. The SHIP IT Act offers tangible solutions that stand to immediately address pressing supply chain challenges. We call on Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation and take meaningful steps to lower consumer costs, enhance efficiency and support safety,\u201d said Tom Madrecki, Vice President of Supply Chain, Consumer Brands Association.\n\nBackground:\n\nAmerica is experiencing an 80,000-truck driver shortage, which has a negative ripple effect for every part of the supply chain.\n\nThe median age of the truck driver in the industry is between 51- and 52-years old.\n\nThere is one parking space available for every 11 semitrucks on the road\u2014yet there is a need for even more trucks to deliver freight.\n\nThe Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T23:08:17Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-costa-lead-bill-improve-supply-chain"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8313550390303135, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}