Joe Baca: “let's be clear--the Boozman amendment will force truck drivers to work longer hours, with less rest, putting all of us…”

“let's be clear--the Boozman amendment will force truck drivers to work longer hours, with less rest, putting all of us at risk. This amendment is about one thing--increasing the workday for truck drivers from 14 to 16 hours. Those 16 hours are twice the length of the average American's workday. We do not need more tired truck drivers on the road. I represent one of the largest trucking communities in this country. The Inland Empire in California is the trucking hub of all of Southern California. Let me share with you what I know. Every truck stop in Southern California, and I suspect the rest of the Nation, is full of stay-awake and other legal caffeine pills for overworked and sleepy truck drivers. Truck drivers also quietly grumble that they are increasingly forced to carry larger loads, over longer distances, with shorter deadlines. This amendment is not about flexibility; it is about rolling back safety so a few companies can increase profits. Do you know anyone who works a 14-hour day who'd rather change that to 16 hours? Who, in their right mind, really wants to show up for work at 7 a.m. and leave at 11 p.m.? What about the families and their children? What about time to sleep? The Boozman amendment is a bad idea that will endanger our families on the road and decrease the quality of life for truck drivers. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.”