Senate Hearing Highlights CVTA Advocacy on TPR Enforcement

CVTA is pleased to note that during the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on July 22nd, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) mentioned CVTA by name when asking the witness panel about the need to increase TPR enforcement. This occurred during the hearing on Surface Reauthorization, with a witness panel featuring ATA, OOIDA, the Teamsters, and the American Bus Association.  

The (1) substance of the question and (2) being recognized by name in a live hearing are key indicators of CVTA’s effective Congressional advocacy efforts regarding TPR enforcement. As well, mention of CVTA in the reauthorization hearing validates all of the continued hard work by CVTA’s ELDT Task Force and the entire CVTA Community in working to clean up the truck driver training industry.  

We’ve sent a letter of thanks to Senator Fischer and look forward to continued conversations with her office on matters related to the surface reauthorization. A video of the exchange can be viewed above.

At the Senate Subcommittee hearing on “Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries,” lawmakers heard firsthand about the industry’s ongoing challenges and opportunities. CVTA was encouraged to hear the urgent need to remove CDL mills and bad actors fraudulently taking students’ money without providing meaningful truck driver training.  

Both labor and industry representatives highlighted the need to strengthen and enforce CDL driving laws to increase safety. Senator Fischer of Nebraska cited industry concerns about enforcement, as evidenced in the letters delivered to Congress earlier this year by CVTA, NAPFTDS, and ATA. The letters warned of predatory training operations that leave students without the necessary skills to pass a test or operate a vehicle safely.

The hearing also covered a wide range of additional issues impacting the trucking industry. Lawmakers and witnesses addressed growing concerns around freight fraud and cargo theft, which threaten both economic stability and supply chain security. Truck parking shortages, which persist as a significant challenge, impact driver safety and hours-of-service compliance. The viability of 18-20-year-old CMV drivers was discussed as a critical factor in addressing driver shortages.

Technological advancements, such as automation and electronic logging devices, were highlighted for their potential to improve safety, efficiency, and productivity—although participants emphasized the need for careful integration to protect jobs and maintain high training standards. These conversations underscored the complex and interconnected nature of the industry’s challenges, extending beyond training alone.

Ultimately, the hearing underscored the significant impact that the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization may have on the future of the driver workforce. CVTA will continue to engage with Congress and agency leaders to ensure driver training remains rigorous, accessible, and focused on long-term safety and career success. As the federal government weighs reforms, the message is clear: quality and safety matter—and so do the voices of trainers and job creators on the front lines of building America’s professional trucking workforce.