Jeff Denham: “In 1994, Congress enacted the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act, or F4A, to prevent States from…”

“In 1994, Congress enacted the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act, or F4A, to prevent States from undermining Federal deregulation of interstate commerce through a patchwork of State regulations. Since 1994, motor carriers have been operating under the Federal meal and rest break standards until a ruling by the California Ninth Circuit Court. This amendment would remedy that issue. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Oregon is recognized for 5 minutes. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Unfortunately, the language of this amendment is so broad that it would basically preempt meal, rest break, and other laws that relate to truck drivers in 21 States. So I think this is an issue of states' rights. It is an issue of an overly broad attempt to address what is a real contradiction that was created by the ninth circuit, that if you have a truck driver who is operating long haul through a number of States having to comply with new rest or meal break requirements on the Federal clock, which I can barely understand with the new requirements on rest, every time the driver crosses a State line, it is confusing and I think is a potential impediment to interstate commerce. We offered an amendment that would have specifically addressed that concern. Unfortunately, we weren't able to reach agreement on that. Mr.…”