Press Releases
Statements of Support for Military CDL Act
Washington, DC,
September 28, 2012
On Thursday, September 20, 2012, Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08), along with Congressmen Mike Quigley (IL-05) and John Carney (DE), introduced H.R. 6456, the Military CDL Act of 2012. The legislation is a companion to S. 3624, which passed the U.S. Senate on Friday, September 21, 2012 by unanimous consent. Below are statements from leaders in the trucking and veterans community who support Congressman Bucshon’s Military CDL Act: Statement by Best Way Express: “I’m thrilled that Congressman Bucshon sponsored the Military CDL Act of 2012. The trucking industry has been pushing to get this on the agendas of our House & Senate members for a number of years now. Our military has the best training anywhere yet they could not easily transfer that training in civilian life. Now with the support of Washington, senseless red tape barriers can be torn down so our military can put that training to work, right here in America. That’s a win win for everybody. “Thank you, Doctor Bucshon for going to bat for our servicemen.” Shepard Dunn Statement by The American Legion: “On behalf of the 2.4 million members of The American Legion, I would like to express support for H.R. 6456, the Military CDL Act of 2012, which would allow states to issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to active duty, reserve and National Guard military members, and active duty Coast Guard or members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. “With the economy continuing to struggle, and many Americans facing unemployment, The American Legion is committed to supporting job opportunities for all veterans and military members. This bill would remove a barrier which some military members needlessly face: barring of the receipt of a CDL by an individual who is not domiciled in the state. BY carving out an exception for individuals who are stationed, temporarily or permanently, in a state due to military service, this bill moves toward the goal of ensuring that no one who has served be unable to secure gainful employment. “Again, The American Legion fully supports enacting H.R. 6456 and applauds your leadership in addressing this critical issue facing our nation’s veterans.” James E. ‘Jim’ Koutz Statement by the Military Officers Association of America: “On behalf of the 370,000 members of the Military Officers Association of America, I am writing to thank you for your leadership in sponsoring H.R. 6456, the Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012. You bill will allow currently serving military personnel, including members of the National Guard and Reserves, to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in the state where they serve, or where they received their military training, even if it’s not their state of permanent residence. “H.R. 6456 is a much needed initiative to help service men and women transitioning from service to civilian life and for future veterans seeking meaningful employment.” VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr. USN (Ret.) Statement by the American Trucking Association: “American Trucking Associations (ATA) supports passage of S.3624, the Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012, which will be considered by the House on Friday. As Americans we must do everything possible to ease veterans’ transitions from active duty to civilian life, including helping veterans find meaningful employment. Many veterans already have the necessary skills to become professional drivers, and ATA supports legislation that will make it easier, without compromising safety, for these heroes to obtain their CDL. “Federal law currently restricts states from issuing commercial driver’s licenses to anyone not domiciled within that state. While this provision has fraud prevention applications in the civilian world, military servicemen and servicewomen are often based at locations in other states through no choice or option of their own. These service members’ decision to protect our country perversely hampers their ability to test for and receive a commercial driver’s license when based or deployed out of state. “The Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012 will change this. If enacted, the bill will create an exception allowing states to test and issue commercial driver’s licenses to service members who are domiciled in another state. Veterans need jobs, and the trucking industry needs drivers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the trucking industry will need 233,000 net new truck and tractor-trailer drivers over the ten-year period from 2008-2018. “There are good jobs waiting for these servicemen and servicewomen if we can level the playing field and get them licensed.” Mary B. Phillips Statement by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association: "If there is a way to help returning military personnel use their training as they transition into new roles, then we certainly want to make sure to remove any obstacles to moving forward in a trucking career. Many of our members are veterans and this is a great way to show support for our troops and grow the owner-operator industry at the same time." Todd Spencer Statement by WorkOne Southwest Indiana: “I am extremely happy that Congressman Buschon has sponsored HR 6456. There are a number of trucking companies here in Southwest Indiana that are struggling to fill their needs for over-the-road truck drivers. We also have a number of returning Military Veterans that have the skills to do those jobs but do not possess the required Commercial Drivers License. This bill would remove that barrier and help both our returning Veterans and the trucking companies that desperately need qualified drivers.” Jim Heck Statement by Atlas Van Lines: “It is with great pleasure that I announce my full support of the Military CDL Act of 2012. I believe it is imperative that we honor our service members by removing the barriers of obtaining a CDL. This is a wonderful opportunity for our service men and women to enter a profession where they have received outstanding training and to utilize this unique skill set. The transportation industry will be honored to have more of these men and women “behind the wheel”. With the current shortage of qualified drivers, the Military CDL Act of 2012 will do great things for our industry, but most importantly, will benefit the brave men and women who have served our country.” Glen Dunkerson Statement by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States: “On behalf of EANGUS, I would like to offer support for your legislation, H.R. 6456, the Military CDL Act of 2012. This legislation will allow currently servicing members of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard, to receive a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). With veteran’s unemployment outpacing the national unemployment rate, H.R. 6456 is a common sense approach to help the members of the Armed Forces transition from military to civilian life.” Al Garver |