Rep. Troy E. Nehls and Rep. Houlahan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Truckers Access to Bathroom Facilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) introduced the Trucker Bathroom Access Act. This bill would ensure truckers can access bathroom facilities when picking up or delivering cargo. It would not require businesses to construct new restrooms. It only requires that if a business has a bathroom available to their customers or employees, truckers have the same access.

"I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure our great American truckers have basic access to restroom facilities while working," saidCongressman Troy Nehls (R-TX-22). "American truckers are this nation's backbone, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for the tremendous contributions they made during the pandemic. I thank Rep. Houlahan, OOIDA, and the Women In Trucking Association for partnering with me on this important legislation."

"Time and again, we've seen that when we include more women in our workforce, our economy prospers—that's true for the trucking industry, too," said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06). "But restricted access to bathrooms is putting that progress in jeopardy. In response, our new bipartisan legislation will give all truckers, and female drivers in particular, the confidence of having access to a restroom when they deliver goods to businesses and American families. Especially as the trucking industry continues to face employee retention challenges, we must ensure that we provide truckers a working environment that honors their vital role in growing our economy. Ultimately, keeping more drivers on the road means fewer supply chain delays and lower costs. I'm proud to partner with Rep. Nehls on this straightforward effort."

"The men and women of America's trucking industry keep our supply chain moving and it's only reasonable that their most basic of needs be accommodated while they are on the job," said Todd Spencer, President and CEO of OOIDA. "We've heard from countless drivers who have been forced to 'hold it' because they were not allowed to access the bathroom when they were picking up or delivering freight. We thank Representatives Nehls for showing tremendous leadership on this issue and we look forward to continue working with him and our coalition partners to get this legislation signed into law."

"As more women enter the trucking industry, the need for restroom access increases while access to facilities has decreased," said Ellen Voie, President and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. "We applaud Rep. Nehls' support to require shippers and receivers to offer our drivers this very basic need."