House Prepares Short-Term Appropriations Bill Without 34-Hour Restart Provision
The House is working on a temporary appropriations measure that does not include a suspension of the 34-hour restart provision of the hours of service rule.


The House is working on a temporary appropriations measure that does not include a suspension of the 34-hour restart provision of the hours of service rule.
The Continuing Resolution is a relatively “clean” bill that leaves out such initiatives as American Trucking Associations’ attempt to suspend the restart.
Earlier this summer ATA won consideration of the suspension in the Senate’s version of the fiscal year 2015 appropriations bill. The Senate did not finish debate on the provision, however, due to partisan differences over spending policy.
Dave Osiecki, executive vice president and chief of national advocacy for ATA, said the association will continue to try and attach the suspension to the appropriations process.
“Our short-term strategy continues to be appropriations-based,” Osiecki said in response to an email query.
“While the (Continuing Resolution) may not provide an opportunity, it is only a short-term measure.”
The resolution would fund federal programs at current levels until December 15. Congress often uses these types of bills to maintain funding past the end of the October 1 fiscal year. Failure to pass the resolution would lead to a government shutdown.
The resolution probably will go to the floor next week after legislators decide how they want to handle funding issues related to President Obama’s plan to suppress the terrorist group ISIS operating in Iraq and Syria.
The annual appropriations process will resume after the November mid-term election, at which point the restart issue could be in play again.
At issue is the provision in the 2013 hours-of-service rule that requires drivers to take two periods off between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. during their 34-hour restart, and limits use of the restart to once a week.
Some members of ATA and shipping interests contend that the provision reduces productivity without improving safety.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, supported by some carriers, the Teamsters union and safety advocates, stands by the provision.
So far, the Senate has held some debate on a bill by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that would suspend the restart for a year while the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration studies its impact.
And the House has considered a different approach that criticizes but does not suspend the restart. Under this approach, FMCSA would report its evidence for the once-a-week restriction on the restart, including an assessment of the effect of the restriction on safety.
If the restart suspension is not included in the appropriations bill that Congress must eventually pass, ATA will have the option of finding another home for it.
Osiecki declined to say if ATA would follow that path.
An obvious choice for such a tactic would be the bill to reauthorize the federal transportation program, which will include a title covering truck safety regulations.
That bill is due next May, when the current temporary highway program expires, although it is not clear that Congress will be prepared to make a decision on the funding portion of the bill by that time.
Meanwhile, the 34-hour restart provision remains in effect.
More Fleet Management

What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →
Deen Albert: Let Automation Do the Math, People Make the Decisions
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Deen Albert makes sure people are still at the heart of operations at Grand Island Express, even while adopting artificial intelligence tools. AI-assisted dispatch helped boost revenue 25% with the same number of trucks.
Read More →Trimble’s New AI Agent Takes Aim at Fleet Back-Office Busywork
Arc Agent works across Trimble TMS products to automate repetitive tasks such as freight orders, maintenance, invoices, fuel costs and more.
Read More →
How HDT’s 2026 Truck Fleet Innovators Are Rethinking Fleet Operations
Meet five trucking leaders who are challenging assumptions, solving operational problems, and putting innovative ideas to work.
Read More →
Tight Trucking Capacity Pushes Rates Higher Even as Freight Volumes Fall
“Spot rates moving ahead of contract rates have historically signaled a tightening market, but we haven’t seen a capacity-driven market quite like this one,” said DAT's Dean Croke.
Read More →
