ATA Touts Lawsuit Abuse Legislation
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WASHINGTON — American Trucking Associations recently endorsed legislation in the House of Representatives meant to correct long-standing industrywide legal concerns.
The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act, introduced by Republican Reps. Mike Collins of Georgia, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Brandon Gill of Texas and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, is designed to mitigate the impact of lawsuits deemed frivolous as well as shield employers from defending against inordinate claims.
The bill’s introduction coincided with a weeklong advocacy forum hosted by American Trucking Associations’ .
“When frivolous lawsuits are filed to shake down honest trucking companies, hardworking truckers and consumers pay the price,” said Henry Hanscom, ATA’s senior vice president of legislative affairs. “The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act would turn the tables on those who pervert our justice system for profit by ensuring that unscrupulous lawyers — not their victims — bear the consequences of frivolous claims.”
Numbers that matter
80+ MSC members
22 states
80+ Hill meetings
During day 2 of movers met with lawmakers to push for:
Protecting independent contractors
Stronger oversight of military moves
Fighting moving fraud
Modern consumer protections… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)
He added, “The trucking industry strongly supports this common-sense reform championed by Rep. Collins to restore fairness in the courtroom and protect job creators.”
Per background information made available by its sponsors, the bill would seek to reinstate mandatory sanctions for pursuing frivolous claims. It would impose certain penalties for filing frivolous lawsuits and facilitate compensation for persons found to have been injured by frivolous lawsuits.
A vote on the bill has yet to be scheduled in a committee of jurisdiction. On the same day as the bill’s introduction, nearly 100 industry representatives from 22 states visited members of Congress to advocate for federal policies that would improve their operations. Stakeholders raised concerns linked to fraud, military moving programs and potential changes to the independent contractor model.
Emily is one of the hundreds of thousands of truckers whose livelihoods were jeopardized by the independent contractor rule issued under Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su last year.
Emily spoke directly with USDOL leaders about the importance of protecting independent truckers… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)
“There is simply no substitute for the passion, authenticity and firsthand knowledge that [Moving and Storage Conference] members bring to the table,” Hanscom explained specifically about ATA’s Call on Washington advocacy forum. “We appreciated their willingness to come to Washington to share their personal stories and hard data with key lawmakers.”
Dan Hilton, executive director of ATA’s Moving and Storage Conference, sought to capture the forum’s essence.
“The professionals in the moving and storage industry help millions of Americans relocate each year to be closer to loved ones or to new opportunities. The service they provide is an integral part of Americans’ way of life,” Hilton said. “This week, lawmakers on Capitol Hill had the opportunity to hear directly from members of this essential industry through ATA’s Call on Washington program. From combating moving fraud, to supporting relocating military families, to protecting independent contractors, there is no shortage of challenges our industry must tackle.”
Big news! The Call on Washington program is back and bigger than ever.
This week, ATA officially broke our record for the most Capitol Hill meetings in a single year.
And we still have a long way to go. In September, we’ll bring over 100 additional truckers to D.C. to keep… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)
“We appreciate our [Moving and Storage Conference] members taking the time to represent our industry and educate policymakers about our priorities,” Hilton added.
Earlier this year, bipartisan legislation meant to enhance consumer protections in the moving industry was approved by a Senate committee. The Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), would amplify certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines as a way of reassuring consumers about securities and protections in the business of the movement of goods nationwide.
Mark Hill and Danielle Villegas of PCS Software discuss their AI engine, Cortex, designed specifically to level the playing field for midsized carriers. Tune in above or by going to .
“This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give the FMCSA the tools needed to protect consumers from fraud by scammers in the interstate transportation of household goods,” Fischer, a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, said in May.
Separate from the transportation policy debate on Capitol Hill, congressional leaders announced negotiations that would avert a partial government shutdown. Working on a Sept. 30 deadline, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) raised the potential for the chambers to consider short-term funding legislation. Enactment of such a bill this month would avert a shutdown.
Emphasizing that “much remains to be done,” Cole stated, “I stand with President [Donald] Trump in pressing ahead on all fronts to keep the government open to continue implementation of the ‘America First’ agenda.”
Congress has yet to clear for Trump fiscal 2026 funding legislation that would avert a partial government shutdown.
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