U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent a letter to representatives of infrastructure and freight transportation industries requesting information about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the supply chain, freight movement, transportation networks, and consumers, as well as ways to ensure the freight transportation network continues to be resilient and flexible in reacting to future unforeseen events.

Excerpt from letter:

The COVID-19 crisis has brought serious new challenges and hardships to our nation. As these difficult times continue to affect our lives, the resilience and resourcefulness shown by our frontline workers has been remarkable. They are providing critical care, services, goods, and supplies to the people and communities that need them. These contributions are seen across industries, and the surface transportation sector is no exception. Our truck drivers, railroad workers, port operators, pipeline engineers, and many others are working to ensure that our freight transportation network and critical infrastructure continue to deliver during this unprecedented time.

As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stated, “Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety as well as community well-being.”[1] Indeed, our communities rely upon a functioning freight and supply system to provide food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, water treatment materials, and other essential goods, commodities, and equipment. The COVID-19 crisis only underscores the need to continue supporting our surface transportation and freight networks, potentially in new and different ways.