More lawmakers step forward in support of mandatory fuel surcharge

The list of U.S. legislators supporting OOIDA's new fuel surcharge legislation, HR2161, has grown to an even dozen. HR2161's original sponsors are Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Original co-sponsors are Reps. Alan Mollohan (D-WV); Robert Ney (R-OH); Collin Peterson (D-MN); Ted Strickland (D-OH); William Lipinski (D-IL); and Corrine Brown (D-FL). Additional co-sponsors include Reps. John Doolittle (R-CA); David Bonoir (D-MI), Nicholas Lampson (D-TX) and Tim Holden (D-PA).

If approved by legislators, the mandatory fuel surcharge bill will create a mandatory fuel surcharge program for the trucking industry to help carriers and small business truckers combat the effects of sudden fuel spikes.

The Motor Carrier Fuel Cost Equity Act of 2001, HR2161, was originally introduced in the 106th Congress as HR4441, where it passed unanimously in the House in October, 2000 but failed to make it to the floor of the Senate before its adjournment.

HR2161 would make it mandatory that motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders add a fuel surcharge adequate to cover the increased cost of fuel if it exceeds $1.10 by five cents. It will also mandate that the surcharge be paid by the party paying for the transportation service and that it be passed through in full to the party who pays for the fuel.

"Congress will be adjourned for the first week of July for Independence Day and many legislators will be going home for the holiday," says OOIDA's Todd Spencer. "This is a great time for a face-to-face visit. Truckers need to make certain their lawmakers from their home district know about this legislation and this would be an opportune time to ask him/her to co-sponsor this legislation."

OOIDA urges members and supporters to contact their elected U.S. representative's home office now and set up a meeting.

To read the full text of HR 2161, go HERE...