Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passes, trucking orgs have mixed feelings

Just before the Independence Day holiday break, Congress passed the Trump Administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a tax-and-spending package that eliminates taxes on tips and overtime and boosts funding for immigration enforcement and defense. The bill also cuts roughly $1 trillion from Medicaid and food assistance programs.

President Trump signed the bill during a Fourth of July ceremony.

While some within the trucking industry approve the passing of the bill, others find it lacking. 

See also: DOT announces Pro-Trucker Package, aims to improve truckers’ lives

The industry reacts

“The American Trucking Associations thanks Republicans in Congress and President Trump for moving this comprehensive tax reform package across the finish line,” Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, said in a release. “Today’s vote provides much-needed certainty for the trucking industry—the backbone of our economy—to grow and thrive. “By passing this bill, Congress averted the largest tax increase in our nation’s history. Neither the economy nor our supply chain would have survived such a travesty. This is our money, not the government’s, and truckers know better than anyone how to reinvest it to promote prosperity.

“Motor carriers, the overwhelming majority of which are small businesses that operate 10 trucks or fewer, will now have the ability to plan for the future, continue to provide good-paying jobs, and upgrade equipment,” Spear continued. “We commend congressional leaders for recognizing this fact and crafting this tax relief package that supports the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking. We look forward to celebrating President Trump fulfilling another promise to our industry when he signs it into law.”

The praise from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association was somewhat qualified.

“These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America but also enhance safety for everyone on the road,” Todd Spencer, OOIDA president and CEO, said.

But Spencer’s thoughts on the bill are less favorable due to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which denies truckers overtime pay—a key benefit of the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“Eliminating taxes on overtime pay for blue-collar workers is a well-intentioned move. Unfortunately, truckers won’t benefit from this key provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill due to their exclusion from overtime protections under the outdated Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938,” Spencer said in a release. “It’s time for Congress to fix a nearly century-old oversight by passing the bipartisan GOT Truckers Act and ensure truckers are eligible for both overtime pay and the tax relief extended to other blue-collar workers.”

This article was updated following President Trump's bill signing ceremony. The article was also edited to remove the statement that the One Big Beautiful Bill included the Pro-Trucker Package, which the U.S. Department of Transportation announced June 26. The Pro-Trucker Package is separate from the One Big Beautiful Bill.