To read the full article, click here.

An “unnecessary” increase to motor carriers’ minimum insurance requirements would serve as punishment to the nation’s truckers, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill, told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during a 19-hour highway bill markup hearing on Wednesday, June 9.

Bost, who was raised in a trucking family, spoke passionately in favor of his amendment to remove a provision from the INVEST in America Act that would increase the minimum liability insurance from $750,000 to $2 million.

“Over the past year during the time of this pandemic we’ve relied pretty hard on the working people who drive trucks across the nation,” Bost said. “These men and women continue their essential work by stocking store shelves and making sure food was put on everyone’s table, and (getting us) the supplies we needed while many of us were trapped in our homes. Now, after praising these individuals for their great work, this legislation turns around and punishes them.”