[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6158159,"mediaKeyId","5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75","parentId",5461188,"title","Senators press for consistent post‑crash drug and alcohol testing; witnesses split on hair testing","audioSeconds",92,"startMs",5203000,"endMs",5295000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75&start=5203&end=5295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75/thumbnail_5203000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6158159/Senators-press-for-consistent-postcrash-drug-and-alcohol-testing-witnesses-split-on-hair-testing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158159-8208af6007440c7807e8912bcabde80c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503816&Signature=NJBIFNiUYlqBcQ1kXA~bLWNGMU8OzADmSzVY4qNKil-oeAP4ZfqHCpohSlE7Oyo1l7FsubvxbDyobzrAqEK5N5mRJNAeLNwFs8vobD1XwiYamKZaLOOuBZyTDp5z5l2rWQK8geCT13XT5XsngIdyJuhg29HH-vGRrq~eaNhnY1jcProXqE5Z6OdG0XgcwNbjbGQTJjUfBHwN50qUtNNYSoGRZ1ULNhIvWjfpKyF70iJEPTeDe1m9cdHA-vgoav6daCFzxDrN0ututEkIBRRWM7z9vt~jjkq5tH9VgU-yO6n-gkBJYs6wNizhFbpREpx45gaqZST4OcCBJHOlOSy7cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation","date","2025-07-24T11:28:03.423Z","article","Senators and witnesses discussed gaps in post‑crash drug and alcohol testing and whether to broaden testing tools to include hair samples as legalization of marijuana and the opioid crisis change the testing landscape.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and others raised a FMCSA report that, the committee said, found more than 60% of truck drivers were not tested for drugs or alcohol after fatal crashes despite a statute requiring such testing. Industry and labor witnesses agreed post‑crash testing compliance is critical. Sean O’Brien said he “100 percent” supports post‑crash testing and recounted being tested after a fatal workplace incident earlier in his career.

Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations told senators he supports expanding permissible testing tools and specifically backed hair testing to detect a wider window of drug use amid an opioid crisis and expanding state legalization of marijuana: “We will go so far to save hair testing as well,” Spear testified.

Louis Pugh of OOIDA supported post‑crash testing but opposed hair testing, saying he believes urine testing remains the scientifically established standard and that hair testing may produce inconsistent results for some populations. “We do not support the hair testing because we don't feel that there's enough research or data out there to show that it is accurate,” Pugh said.

Senators requested DOT and FMCSA examine enforcement gaps and consider whether statutory or regulatory changes are needed to ensure carriers test drivers after fatal crashes and whether testing methods should be expanded. No new statutory language was adopted at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shifting Gears: Issues Impacting the Trucking and Commercial Bus Industries in the U.S.","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members highlighted gaps in post‑crash testing despite statutes requiring carriers to test after fatal crashes; witnesses backed post‑crash testing but differed on adding hair testing versus urine and oral tests.","taxTitle","Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1990,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6158164,"Teamsters tell senators Amazon’s subcontracting model shields company from safety accountability",78,2868000,2946000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75&start=2868&end=2946","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75/thumbnail_2868000.jpg","/articles/6158164/Teamsters-tell-senators-Amazons-subcontracting-model-shields-company-from-safety-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158164-c6e82867cd33f0319d5a8d226975bb83/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503816&Signature=Xw1Kku1ATd3dDpliyPYPbrMZnNjDznPYhp3at5Y2ZUlkD-3G8vWmBf2wxDbeYsIEpYSm5p6rOWo0R5yvy4lzDho~7xF7hl0tLHvZnau476q-pdIRjSsxPzFgk3zz4-UgiUnWUIrGM-3p0iQfHs9jWi4JyrEFP-S~aF71bf~6oxaimot2OWifP50xhJmLQcG2~hTGytAplrpYUEn7kLiNksadJlm1svv0nct2ek4tbG4d2H-9oFKHguP1-qZN1~~ktMvek1LEr6NqMPaIMkYdrkqWZ6PuLnqMEw3w07PEEzmQbRvgVD6DKvUWgrxmzKtZkyr3MCDH0KqzDyZpAUtg0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard testimony that Amazon’s use of contractors and freight service partners (FSPs) fragments safety oversight and can shield large shippers from accountability for fleet performance.

Sean O’Brien, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told the subcommittee that Amazon’s use of contractor networks makes it difficult for FMCSA and other regulators to “connect the dots between individual carriers to establish a pattern of unsafe behavior across a fleet contracted by Amazon.” He added that an FMCSA study and consolidated safety metrics for companies using contracted fleets are needed.

O’Brien cited data he said show higher violation rates among Amazon contractor networks compared with large, direct‑employer carriers such as UPS. Senators discussed the limits of existing labor and safety enforcement when work is performed by subcontracted entities that have independent DOT numbers and separate corporate records.

Senators asked about remedies including directing FMCSA to require consolidated reporting where a single company controls routes, equipment purchases or operating policies; a study of safety in Amazon’s last‑mile delivery operations (including vehicles under 10,000 pounds); and stronger labor law enforcement where plaintiffs allege joint‑employer relationships. No formal rulemaking or agency directive was adopted at the hearing.","The Teamsters told the subcommittee that Amazon’s model of contracting with small carriers prevents regulators from tracking fleet‑level safety, and senators discussed directing FMCSA to collect consolidated safety metrics and study last‑mile operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6158168,"Committee hears calls for tougher federal response to rising cargo theft and freight fraud",4720,1086000,5806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75&start=1086&end=5806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6158168/Committee-hears-calls-for-tougher-federal-response-to-rising-cargo-theft-and-freight-fraud","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158168-2782c1ebfa4b0763afac454a0d7f6782/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503816&Signature=SWvgX7oF-AEHcLUkyu9R1Nc9yla2e~g2b6RSMWz4bjmYcbad6VySQuKI~xXAt4fzrX-QftQPeTlWr5j6Yyl7EwqrtMVFXcersPOvBy8GDe~SCa~AZlsRA4kIdS~rHu2530Vuj2MPU8nwc-XnrFtmew5EZ-V21fKoijNTRCEQQMi-zLxTa-tgZQyfGhe7O035-64c4Yl6hYlz4ixU6t6l-aTT4LixJFCrFhNGU8SfsskdP23OCJ9bgOD-siIeUvEk9WhaEcAjP0Y9NzDSUtfKd4cZD~8xJhh4yNcBpeCVEbeJSQJ6D3TkC5Xmr7ZNucZ~KrJxZ69SNTrUMyKKPxwk4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and witnesses at the subcommittee hearing described cargo theft and freight fraud as an expanding national problem that requires stronger federal enforcement, better broker oversight and industry‑government coordination.

Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations said annual losses from cargo theft have climbed to an estimated $35 billion and urged legislation to empower federal law enforcement to lead investigations and improve responses. “This economic and national security threat has exploded in the last few years, with annual losses now totaling a staggering $35,000,000,000,” Spear testified.

Witnesses and senators described increasingly sophisticated schemes, including hijacked bills of lading, spoofed brokers and transnational criminal organizations that can change delivery instructions while trucks are in motion. Louis Pugh (OOIDA) and other witnesses said fictitious brokers and identity theft of trucking companies enable fraudulent pickups and deliveries.

Senator Amy Klobuchar and others pushed for stronger FMCSA authority to pursue bad actors and better reporting mechanisms so carriers and brokers can file complaints and evidence quickly. Fred Ferguson of the American Bus Association urged federal coordination with DHS and DOJ to address criminal syndicates targeting containers and food shipments, giving the example of repeated thefts of dry milk powder from containers.

Policy proposals discussed included the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act referenced by Senator Luhan (an item with bipartisan committee support), expanded broker registration and transparency requirements, stronger penalties for fraudulent brokers and dedicated federal task forces to track organized theft networks. Senators asked witnesses to work with staff on statutory language; no votes or final legislative texts were adopted at the hearing.","Lawmakers and industry witnesses urged stronger federal enforcement, better broker transparency and improved cross‑agency cooperation to stem a reported surge in cargo theft and sophisticated fraud schemes affecting food, retail and industrial shipments.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6158173,"Senators and unions press for federal framework to govern autonomous commercial vehicles",77,3413000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75&start=3413&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75/thumbnail_3413000.jpg","/articles/6158173/Senators-and-unions-press-for-federal-framework-to-govern-autonomous-commercial-vehicles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158173-15f60c2e779f8b6740ea9873d1ff255b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503816&Signature=BYJYHG-xy9IqSc9bniv4A4aCDX1AZeiDUmJa00sR3wMmnkYAe-zpQYqHY1MSeVrXLFYkLrtEYCWVQFGvjz36yvSY3qzmLgbSaGnylsnCWz7ACTP-8R4BOrzxTwbdljEv~OlIW0eFd5feq2zNX5hVnLjCHT5xF57BzXoNH3KvQRSPwgLo2gwlR7IffnP6RoPoj0X~4KeEQUWUJ6NzypkHPIA0MBe9bt9azLKec20-EvGVussH6yrAQJq1FqLSXvolaoSnmB7eUmQCA3bEExtLx~5myeqQctB-4FuPxDp3i7et5EU1Ns86tiNelabDBYR1ucooOZa8lAjunVamm7kfFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators pressed witnesses on whether and how Congress should craft a national framework for autonomous commercial vehicles, focusing on worker protections, safety testing and a single federal standard to avoid a patchwork of state rules.

Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations told the subcommittee that levels 1–4 automation improve safety and productivity while a true level‑5 driverless truck remains distant. “The first 4 require a driver, you know, engaged in the operation of the commercial vehicle. Level 5 is driverless. We're a long ways from deploying that widespread,” Spear said.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien urged precautions and employment safeguards. “We need human operators in these vehicles,” O’Brien said, calling for protections so workers displaced by automation have job opportunities. He framed automation as both a public‑safety issue and a labor concern: “If we replace 3,500,000 drivers, where do they go and what do they do?”

Key policy themes emerged in the hearing: lawmakers asked for a single national standard rather than differing state laws; witnesses recommended staged deployment tied to testing and public‑safety metrics; and unions proposed job‑protection measures and collective‑bargaining safeguards to accompany automation adoption. Spear also argued that technology and labor can coexist, pointing to port automation negotiations as an example where productivity and union jobs were advanced together.

Senators emphasized that an effective framework should address interstate commerce, consistent safety rules, robust testing and transitional workforce supports. No regulatory changes were adopted at the hearing; senators asked DOT and FMCSA to help craft standards that balance technology adoption with safety and labor protections.","Witnesses at a Senate hearing agreed a federal policy is needed for autonomous commercial vehicles, but they disagreed on pace and workforce protections: industry leaders highlighted safety gains from levels 1–4 automation while unions warned of job loss, safety and infrastructure impacts from driverless technology.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6158178,"Senate hearing presses implementation fixes for 18–20 driver apprenticeship pilot",87,3108000,3195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75&start=3108&end=3195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5461188-021485fd7eb16a0b8b91184cfb244a75/thumbnail_3108000.jpg","/articles/6158178/Senate-hearing-presses-implementation-fixes-for-1820-driver-apprenticeship-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6158178-9ebbb61a5fba15315d622b3828292fbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770503816&Signature=h0JDBamJ-xVgG8WTR0pf6q4~XckNR5jg-kjMhFRne9MeXtSemo48Ygewqb6kJbXkkUPH02AhA3aXCpkXgoiO7Kyu3XL7Tq4xcKnw0tW5KfNFt738gYPNCJBual8SaCQmb-d173d7jFig-yHSl6ghuUS3kqpXYCphisrb9JghzNqSTo~AA5OB99PvCgPbPsSVgM7XCkclnhc80FDVyMoENf76k2IxdMDNHI2MXFUjMJ6AVQqApCi6OXO6saPLh~lSBnOlGGjpW0~mxrAqmLNqEKCiuIW6u-9IVIxXWIdt5LPu1115HapgngyS71w5xYrIOaQh~-Bu-2zo~T-P6eXDqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Todd Young and witnesses at a Senate subcommittee hearing pressed for clearer implementation of the 18–20 commercial driver pilot established by Congress, saying the program must include strong training and realistic operational limits to recruit and keep younger drivers in the industry.

The pilot — authorized in the recent legislation and described repeatedly at the hearing as a national pilot to train 18, 19 and 20 year olds for interstate commercial driving — includes 400 hours of required training, a supervising experienced driver in the cab and 14 performance metrics, witnesses said. Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, said the pilot “has 400 hours of training, of which you have to have a supervised driver, experienced driver in the cab with you. It has 14 metrics attached to it.”

Why it matters: supporters argue a properly run pilot expands workforce pathways and helps meet freight demand, while critics say gaps in real-world experience, geography and oversight risk safety and retention. Ranking Member Gary Peters and other senators pressed witnesses on whether the pilot’s current design addresses driving in mountain terrain, urban traffic and overnight conditions.

Industry witnesses and senators described implementation problems under the previous administration that discouraged participation. Spear and others said additional agency requirements went beyond congressional intent, citing inward-facing cameras and other conditions that reduced enrollment. “The reason that it got poor attendance is because the last administration put a whole number of requirements into the pilot that you didn't authorize, including inward facing cameras,” Spear testified.

Several witnesses and senators offered alternative approaches to limit early interstate exposure while retaining training gains. Louis Pugh, Executive Vice President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, recommended an initial operating radius — an approach he likened to agricultural short‑haul rules — so new drivers “learn how to operate this equipment in areas that they know.”

Senators and witnesses also discussed performance oversight and the need for consistent national standards rather than 50 different state rules. Chairman Young emphasized interstate commerce and congressional intent to use the pilot to provide a pathway to safe, long‑term driving careers.

The hearing produced no legislative vote. Senators asked the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to refine rules and produce implementation guidance before the pilot’s broader rollout, and senators reserved additional questions for the record.","Senators and industry witnesses debated how to implement the 18–20 apprenticeship pilot in the upcoming surface transportation bill, highlighting training standards, geographic limits and prior administration rules that reduced participation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

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Teamsters tell senators Amazon’s subcontracting model shields company from safety accountability

Committee hears calls for tougher federal response to rising cargo theft and freight fraud

Senators and unions press for federal framework to govern autonomous commercial vehicles

Senate hearing presses implementation fixes for 18–20 driver apprenticeship pilot