Blog
TRALA-SUPPORTED BIPARTISAN BILL TO REPEAL FEDERAL EXCISE TAX INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
- By: Shannon Davison
- On: 04/30/2019 15:24:47
- In: Legislative Bulletins
On April 29, 2019, Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2381, the “Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2019,” which would repeal the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET) on the sale price of new heavy-duty trucks, and trailers. LaMalfa and Peterson were joined by Representatives Greg Pence (R-IN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) as original cosponsors of the bill. TRALA, along with other members of the Modernize the Truck Fleet Coalition, have been meeting with House Democrats and Republicans for months to build bipartisan support for the repeal of the FET, and TRALA is pleased that several Members agreed to be original cosponsors of H.R. 2381.
On April 29, 2019, Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2381, the “Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2019,” which would repeal the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET) on the sale price of new heavy-duty trucks, and trailers. LaMalfa and Peterson were joined by Representatives Greg Pence (R-IN), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) as original cosponsors of the bill. TRALA, along with other members of the Modernize the Truck Fleet Coalition, have been meeting with House Democrats and Republicans for months to build bipartisan support for the repeal of the FET, and TRALA is pleased that several Members agreed to be original cosponsors of H.R. 2381.
The timing of the introduction of H.R. 2381 is critical as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has scheduled a full committee hearing for May 1, 2019. During this hearing, Members of the House of Representatives will be able to testify regarding their priorities for inclusion within an infrastructure package. Representative Doug LaMalfa, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, intends to testify on behalf of H.R. 2381 and will discuss the importance of including the FET repeal within the overall context of a broader bill. Additionally, Representative Pence, who is also a member of the committee, will be allowed to speak in support of the bill.
Repealing the FET will be TRALA's number one priority for inclusion in any infrastructure bill that Congress seeks to move this year. It is expected that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will try to move some kind of an infrastructure bill later this summer with the hopes of passing a bill out of the House Chamber before the August recess. TRALA and other members of the Modernize the Truck Fleet Coalition will continue to meet with both House and Senate offices to build support for the FET repeal. Specifically, the coalition will focus on members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Ways and Means Committee as they are the two committees of jurisdiction for the FET in the House.
TRALA President and CEO Jake Jacoby commented, “The time has come to remove this outdated tax. Congress needs a funding source for the Highway Trust Fund that is less volatile and that does not hurt manufacturers, truck dealers, and purchasers of new vehicles and equipment. The FET as it currently stands is an impediment to utilizing the newest, cleanest, and most technologically advanced trucks and trailers. TRALA welcomes the introduction of H.R. 2381 and we look forward to working with Congress to include a repeal of the FET in any infrastructure deal that is negotiated later this year.”
You may view H.R. 2381 which fully repeals the FET by clicking here.
If you have any questions regarding H.R. 2381 or the repeal of the FET, you may contact Andrew Stasiowski at astasiowski@trala.org or by calling (703)299-9120.
###