Pair of amendments intended to increase livestock weight limits on highways were shot down by House

A pair of House amendments allowing for heavier truck livestock loads on highways failed to receive congressional approval, Spencer Chase reports for Agri-Pulse. On Wednesday an amendment by Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) to allow "states to issue permits allowing 'the operation of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 95,000 pounds for the hauling of livestock" failed by a 185-240 count. On Tuesday an amendment by Reid Ribble (R-Wisc.) to allow "for truck weight limits to be increased to 91,000 pounds so long as the vehicles had a sixth axle" was defeated 187-236.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association favored Rooney's amendment, "saying it would have been beneficial to the animals in transit," Chase writes. Philip Ellis, the organization's president, "said the current laws governing truck weight limits—which in most cases caps truck weight at 80,000 pounds—could lead to 'more partially empty livestock trailers, which results in multiple shipments of cattle and more trucks on the road.'” Ribble's amendment faced stiff opposition from railways. Edward Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, "said Ribble's amendment would 'further destroy precious national infrastructure and cost taxpayers dearly.'” (Read more)