WASHINGTON –U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, applauded the House of Representatives for today’s passage of three bipartisan trucking bills. Previously, the bills passed the senate by unanimous consent and today’s final passage in the House clears the way for President Trump to sign them into law. 
 
“Once signed into law, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act and the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act will greatly aid in the ongoing battle against human trafficking,” said Thune. “Additionally, the Jobs for Our Heroes Act will benefit veterans and service members by making it easier for them to get commercial drivers licenses without having to face unnecessary red tape.”   

"Commercial drivers and truckers are often the first line of defense against human trafficking, yet don't always have the tools necessary to help prevent these crimes," said Klobuchar. "The passage of these two bills brings us one step closer to equipping and empowering our drivers to help prevent this heinous crime we're seeing too often in Minnesota and around the country."

Today, the House passed the following bills: 

-  S. 1532, the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, to disqualify individuals from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for their lifetime if they used a CMV to commit a felony involving human trafficking. 

Sponsors: Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)

-  S. 1536, the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, designates a human trafficking prevention coordinator at the U.S. Department of Transportation and would increase outreach, education, and reporting efforts at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

Sponsors: Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)

-  S. 1393, the Jobs for Our Heroes Act, to streamline the process by which active duty military, reservists, and veterans receive commercial driver’s licenses and enter into civilian driving careers.

Sponsors: Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.)

All three bills were previously approved by the committee and passed by the Senate.