Political Quotes

“I thank Senators Lott and Inouye for their commitments to address this issue in conference. I also raise my concerns with the amendment offered by Senator Pryor to define the term ``household goods motor carrier.'' Definitions matter, and in this case, meeting the definition of a ``household goods carrier'' subjects the carrier to certain existing and new regulations that others who do not meet that definition do not have to provide. At the same time, I support excluding express delivery and parcel delivery carriers from the definition of ``household goods carrier.'' As currently drafted, however, I am concerned that the amendment would make it substantially more difficult for an established moving company to enter one of these new markets in which consumers are provided a trailer or container which they pack themselves and which the company then transports for them. The definition, as now offered by Senator Pryor, would mean that an existing moving company would be subject to these new regulations while others who offer these services, but do not provide traditional moving services, would not be. As this bill moves to conference with the House, I am committed to working with the managers of this title to find a definition that is accurate and fair and that covers the universe of services that are being offered to consumers who are planning interstate moves of household goods.”