Washington D.C. — A group of Republican governors are calling on the Biden Administration to do more to help alleviate the ongoing supply chain crisis.

A total of 15 governors have launched a joint initiative called “Operation Open Roads” pledging to take steps to reduce regulations on the trucking industry and calling on President Biden to do the same at the federal level.

Their list of demands for the President include:

• Lowering the interstate driving age for truckers from 21 to 18,
• Abandoning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 vaccination mandate for businesses with 100 employees or more,
• Reviewing and revising any federal policies that deter use or domestic manufacturing of essential transportation equipment including intermodal containers, chassis, and automobiles, trucks, and tractor trailers, and,
• Halt attempts to pass the $1.75 trillion “Build Back Better” bill currently being debated in the Senate after the House approved it late last week.

For their part, the governors are vowing to take action at the state level they say will help to unclog shipping backlogs.

These actions include:

• Modify weight, size, or load restrictions to allow more cargo to move more efficiently;
• Adjust hours of service constraints to provide truck drivers more time and flexibility;
• Deregulate education and occupational licensure barriers to get more commercial truck drivers on the road;
• Convene state agencies in transportation, commerce, workforce, and other related fields to coordinate with private industry, local governments, and neighboring states to ensure greater efficiency, connectivity, and data sharing among shippers and receivers at ports, distribution points, storage facilities, and other intrastate corridors for the expedited loading, unloading, and transport of freight;
• Coastal port states commit to increase tonnage capacity, and accept more Panamax ships waiting off the west coast.

“If we can get government out of the way, our trucking industry can safely do what it does best: move,” a joint statement reads. “Our state economies are on the rise, and Operation Open Roads will help reinforce America’s economic comeback.”

Participating in Operation Open Road are the governors from Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Click HERE to read more.

RECENTLY RELATED

WATCH: President Biden’s Attempt to Explain ‘Confusing’ Supply Chain Crisis is a Must See

OOIDA President Says Truckers Are NOT to Blame For Supply Chain Crisis

Biden and Democrats Accused of Exploiting Supply Chain Crisis to Push ‘Socialist Agenda’

Top Trucking Groups Urge Biden For Action On These ‘5 Immediate Supply Chain Solutions’