[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 43 (Thursday, March 6, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1606-S1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Markey, Mr. Sanders, Mr. 
        Blumenthal, Ms. Warren, and Mr. Wyden):
  S. 893. A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to 
remove the overtime wages exemption for certain employees, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which I introduced today.
  America's truckdrivers are on the frontlines of keeping goods and our 
economy moving. More than 70 percent of goods across the United States 
are shipped by truck.
  Unfortunately, longstanding challenges persist for truckers, 
including long hours away from home and time spent waiting--often 
unpaid--to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and 
distribution centers.

[[Page S1607]]

  Our Nation has made historic investments in our port and supply chain 
infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, but we should 
also improve wages and working conditions for critical workers and 
ensure they are paid for all of the hours they work.
  However, for more than 80 years, Federal law has denied truckers 
guaranteed overtime pay benefits that are afforded to nearly all other 
professions. This means that if a truckdriver experiences delays due to 
congestion or weather, they are often not paid even though they are 
working. Requiring overtime will create an incentive for the shippers, 
receivers, and carriers to get cargo loaded and unloaded, keeping 
truckers and our supply chain moving.
  The motor carrier exemption exacerbates trucking workforce 
challenges. In fact, a February 2022 freight and logistics supply chain 
assessment by the U.S. Department of Transportation urged Congress to 
repeal this exemption. Additionally, research suggests that when truck 
labor rates are fair, there is less driver fatigue, fewer regulatory 
violations, and lower crash rates.
  That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to repeal the overtime 
exemption for motor carriers.
  I want to thank Senator Markey for coleading this bill with me, and I 
hope our colleagues will join us to ensure that trucker compensation 
reflects the fact that these jobs are essential.
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