Bipartisan Bill Would Create A Refundable Income Tax Credit For America’s Commercial Truck Drivers To Tackle A Chronic Workforce Shortage

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) today reintroduced their bipartisan legislation to help address America’s truck driver shortage by establishing a refundable income tax credit for qualified commercial truck drivers.

In 2021, American trucking companies experienced a record deficit of approximately 80,000 drivers due to hiring and retention challenges. In Virginia and Wisconsin, many trucking companies have struggled to hire drivers without offering bonuses or increased wages to qualified drivers. And to further compound this shortage, the median age of U.S. truck drivers now sits between 51 and 52-years old. This shortage has impacted all American consumers through more expensive shipping costs and delays.

The bipartisan Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act would provide a short-term, fast, and straightforward incentive to attract and retain new drivers. Specifically, the Spanberger-Gallagher bill would create a two-year refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for truck drivers holding a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) who drive at least 1,900 hours in the year. Additionally, it would help get more Americans on the road by establishing new incentives for Americans to enter registered trucking apprenticeships.

“During the pandemic, truckers didn’t have any remote options — yet they went to work every single day to keep our economy moving and our communities strong. Our country needs to step up and recognize their hard work — and we need to encourage more Americans to enter this industry,” said Spanberger. “Throughout Virginia, I hear about the need to address our chronic truck driver shortage. Our bipartisan bill would help bring more drivers into the fold, keep them on the highway, and reward them for their loyalty. I want to thank Congressman Gallagher for his continued partnership on this legislation, and I look forward to seeing more young Americans hop in the driver’s seat.”

“The truck driving industry is facing a massive workforce shortage that’s disrupting nearly every aspect of our supply chains,” said Gallagher. “We need to encourage more young men and women to join this career path, and this bipartisan bill is a common sense way to recruit and retain more drivers to keep our shelves stocked and our economy moving.”

Spanberger and Gallagher first introduced their bipartisan bill in April 2022.