American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear underscored the trucking industryโs commitment to keeping the supply chain efficient and secure in testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportationโs Subcommittee.
โATA places great emphasis on security,โ Spear said in his testimony. โOur focus is on strengthening transportation security without undermining economic security.โ
In his testimony, Spear said the trucking industry continues to be frustrated by the redundancy in the number of background checks that drivers must endure, and that the Transportation Worker Identification Card should be the single standard for the transportation industry.
โAdopting a โone credential or screening, many usesโ policy would fix this problem. Absent this policy, ATAโs highest security priority will continue to be the multiplicity of background checks and their associated costs and burdens,โ he said. โThis is why ATA supports the TWIC as the potential single credential and Security Threat Assessment that, in turn, can demonstrate and provide compliance with multiple programs and regulations.โ
The reforms necessary to fully unlock the TWICโs potential are part of the Surface Transportation and Maritime Security Act, which ATA supports.
Spear also said ATA was mindful and ready to work to ensure that as autonomous vehicle technology advances, proper cyber security safeguards are in place.
โOur industry will continue to work with service providers as well as government agencies to improve our cyber security posture and make certain that our systems and protocols are never compromised,โ he said. โATA will continue to advocate for a policy framework on autonomous vehicles that will ensure public safety and reduce threats to our nationโs infrastructure, while also encouraging innovation in this rapidly changing environment.โ
