On Friday, the American Trucking Associations commended Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) for introducing the Trucker Bathroom Access Act, which would ensure truck drivers have access to bathroom facilities while they deliver or pick up cargo at establishments across the United States.
The bipartisan bill is scheduled to be voted on by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation next week. The House companion bill was previously introduced by Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and was approved by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in May as part of the Build America 250 Act.
“Truckers are the heartbeat of our economy and critical to supply chain continuity,” said Henry Hanscom, Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer of the American Trucking Associations. “When drivers stop to make pickups or deliveries — which can take hours on end while waiting to be loaded or unloaded —they should be able to use restroom facilities. Access to such basic accommodations is about more than common courtesy; it is about ensuring the dignity of the men and women who do the heavy lifting to provide for everyone in this country."
Hanscom said this legislation can also help reduce a major barrier to retaining and recruiting more truck drivers, particularly women. He said ATA appreciates Senator Blunt Rochester and Senator Fischer’s leadership in addressing this persistent challenge and supporting professional truck drivers.
The Trucker Bathroom Access Act does not require businesses to construct new restroom facilities. It does require that truckers have the same restroom access as a business’ customers or employees.
The full bill text is available here.
