{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-champions-america-drives-act-hill-future-freight", "Congressman Fong Champions America Drives Act in The Hill: The Future of Freight", "2025-08-21", "2025", "2025-08", "Republican", "House", "CA", "Vince Fong", "F000480", "fong.house.gov", "fong", "https://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) published an op-ed in The Hill titled \u201cThe future of freight: A national framework for autonomous trucking,\u201d highlighting his landmark America Drives Act, which creates a national framework for autonomous trucking to strengthen America\u2019s supply chain.\n\nRead the full text below:\n\nAs America continues to lead the world in technological innovation, autonomous vehicles and autonomous trucks have enormous potential to enhance our transportation systems. This technology holds immense promise, whether it\u2019s boosting supply chain efficiency or improving roadway safety.\n\nBut without a clear and consistent national framework, we risk stalling progress and creating a confusing patchwork of state regulations that threaten public safety, innovation and economic growth.\n\nRight now, each state is charting its own course. Thirty-five states allow some form of autonomous truck testing or deployment, while others have imposed restrictive or conflicting regulations.\n\nFor industry leaders developing autonomous vehicle technology \u2014 and for the truckers, commuters and logistics companies who will rely on it \u2014 this inconsistency is unsustainable. These differing state regulations make it nearly impossible to safely and efficiently scale this technology nationwide.\n\nRequiring autonomous trucks to navigate a constantly shifting patchwork of state laws is like expecting a train to stop and start every time it crosses state lines \u2014 chaotic, inefficient and bound to cause problems. That\u2019s the direction we\u2019re heading with autonomous trucks unless Congress steps in.\n\nAs we speak, the uncertainty caused by the lack of federal guidance on autonomous vehicle trucking is slowing investment, deterring innovation and risks turning America\u2019s highways into a regulatory maze. Meanwhile, Europe and China are racing ahead, rapidly integrating autonomous trucks into their supply chains.\n\nThat\u2019s why I introduced the America Drives Act.\n\nMy bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to update safety regulations by 2027 to reflect the unique needs of fully autonomous trucks. Not only does it create a cohesive regulatory approach to facilitate the safe development and interstate deployment of autonomous vehicle transportation logistics, it also modernizes trucking safety measures by allowing the use of flashing warning beacons instead of outdated roadside triangles, improving visibility and practicality for truck safety across the country.\n\nAutonomous vehicles depend on precision and predictability. Regulatory fragmentation injects chaos when we need consistency. The America Drives Act will jumpstart the effort to establish clear national safety and performance standards, especially for commercial use, and define the roles and responsibilities of federal and state governments to avoid overlap and confusion.\n\nBy establishing a federal framework and empowering the Department of Transportation to thoughtfully develop practical regulations, we can ensure this emerging technology is safely deployed and tested at scale. This forward-looking legislation paves the way for fully autonomous trucks to operate safely across state lines and addresses current challenges by giving trucking companies a pathway to adopt cutting-edge technology and a foundation for nationwide deployment.\n\nThe stakes are high. Autonomous trucks have the potential to strengthen our supply chains, improve road safety and address the driver shortage in freight transportation which is expected to double by 2030. They can operate around the clock, reduce fuel consumption through optimized driving and reduced idle time, and ultimately lower costs for consumers.\n\nThe reality is that America must lead the charge to harness the potential of new and emerging technologies \u2014 especially in transportation. Autonomous trucks support supply chain efficiency by operating longer hours, reducing delivery times and enhancing reliability. This technology also strengthens domestic commerce to proactively secure and enhance U.S. standing in the global marketplace, especially as countries like China and Germany race ahead in autonomous freight.\n\nIn California\u2019s Central Valley, transportation, logistics, and advanced manufacturing form the backbone of our economy. Our region is perfectly positioned between the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Stockton, serving as a vital corridor for moving goods across our state and beyond.\n\nThe America Drives Act will help deliver results for the future of freight by modernizing America\u2019s supply chain, strengthening our infrastructure, and ensuring the U.S. remains globally competitive.\n\nThis is about making sure America \u2014 not China or Europe \u2014 sets the global standard for autonomous vehicle deployment, while protecting our workers and public safety. The longer we delay, the more we cede ground to other nations who are moving quickly to integrate autonomous technologies into their economies. If the U.S. doesn\u2019t act, we risk losing not only innovative leadership, but the jobs and industries that come with it.\n\nAdvancements in freight technology mean safer highways, more reliable deliveries, and a stronger, more efficient supply chain \u2014 making sure everything we need, from fresh produce in grocery stores to packages at our doorsteps, can arrive faster and more affordably while keeping pace with growing consumer demand.\n\nLet\u2019s seize this opportunity and chart a safe, innovative path forward for American transportation.\n\nVince Fong represents the 20th District of California and is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:57:50Z"]], "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://fong.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-fong-champions-america-drives-act-hill-future-freight"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8853944018483162, "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"}