Does the Government Shutdown Affect the Trucking Industry?
Currently at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all employees remain on the job. Most highway and trucking federal programs will continue without interruption as they receive funding from program fees (for example the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse), the Highway Trust Fund, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that is not tied to an annual budget. In addition, federal law requires agencies to maintain duties that protect life and property.
The DOT has released a shutdown plan, going into detail of which departments are affected. Here is a brief summary of the cuts affecting the trucking industry:
- The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration expects a portion of their employees to be furloughed. Inspectors and investigators will remain at work.
- The Federal Highway Administration will continue as normal with no furloughs to be expected.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will continue as normal with no furloughs to be expected.
- The Maritime Administration expects a portion of their employees to be furloughed. Inspectors and investigators will remain at work.