Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act of 2023

Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which I introduced today.

America's truckdrivers are on the frontlines of keeping goods and our economy moving. More than 70 percent of goods across the United States are shipped by truck.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain crisis exacerbated longstanding challenges for truckers, including long hours away from home and time spent waiting--often unpaid--to load and unload at congested ports, warehouses, and distribution centers.

As our Nation makes historic investments in our port and supply chain infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, we should also improve wages and working conditions for essential workers and ensure they are paid for all of the hours they work.

However, for more than 80 years, Federal law has denied truckers guaranteed overtime pay benefits that are afforded to nearly all other professions. This means that if a truckdriver experiences delays due to congestion or weather, they are often not paid even though they are working. Requiring overtime will create an incentive for the shippers, receivers, and carriers to get cargo loaded and unloaded--keeping truckers and our supply chain moving.

The motor carrier exemption exacerbates trucking workforce challenges. In fact, a February 2022 freight and logistics supply chain assessment by the Department of Transportation urged Congress to repeal this exemption. Additionally, research suggests that when truck labor rates are fair, there is less driver fatigue, fewer regulatory violations, and lower crash rates.

That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to repeal the overtime exemption for motor carriers.

I want to thank Senator Markey for coleading this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this bill that will ensure that trucker compensation reflects the fact that these jobs are essential.

Madam President, in all 50 States, young Americans who wish to serve their country send in applications for the high honor of recommendation to a military service academy by their U.S. Representative or either of their U.S. Senators. However, because the District of Columbia is not a State and has no Senators, young people from DC have only a third as many opportunities to be nominated for these academies as Americans from the 50 States have.

This simple bill would ensure that DC gets the same number of academy nominations as States do for the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. This bill originated with DC's distinguished Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and I am proud to join her with a Senate companion ahead of Veterans Day later this week.

Reviewing service academy applications is one of my most fulfilling duties in the Senate. I cannot help but be optimistic about our country's future when I see so many talented, dedicated, and patriotic young people seeking to pursue careers serving their country in uniform. Any young American should have an equal chance to be nominated for this honor, whether they come from the District of Columbia or any of the 50 States. This bill allows them that chance.

Madam President, in all 50 States, young Americans who wish to serve their country send in applications for the high honor of recommendation to a military service academy by their U.S. Representative or either of their U.S. Senators. However, because the District of Columbia is not a State and has no Senators, young people from DC have only a third as many opportunities to be nominated for these academies as Americans from the 50 States have.

This simple bill would ensure that DC gets the same number of academy nominations as States do for the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy. This bill originated with DC's distinguished Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and I am proud to join her with a Senate companion ahead of Veterans Day later this week.

Reviewing service academy applications is one of my most fulfilling duties in the Senate. I cannot help but be optimistic about our country's future when I see so many talented, dedicated, and patriotic young people seeking to pursue careers serving their country in uniform. Any young American should have an equal chance to be nominated for this honor, whether they come from the District of Columbia or any of the 50 States. This bill allows them that chance.