WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Trucker Bathroom Access Act. Addressing a growing concern among truckers, and female drivers in particular, this bill will expand access to bathroom facilities. Although the legislation would not require businesses to build new restrooms, it would require businesses that have a bathroom available to their customers or employees to extend that same access to truckers.

“Time and again, we’ve seen that when we include more women in our workforce, our economy prospers—that’s true for the trucking industry, too,” said Houlahan. “But restricted access to bathrooms is putting that progress in jeopardy. In response, our new bipartisan legislation will give all truckers, and female drivers in particular, the confidence of having access to a restroom when they deliver goods to businesses and American families.”

Houlahan added: “Especially as the trucking industry continues to face employee retention challenges, we must ensure that we provide truckers a working environment that honors their vital role in growing our economy. Ultimately, keeping more drivers on the road means fewer supply chain delays and lower costs. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Nehls on this straightforward effort.”

“I am proud to introduce legislation to ensure our great American truckers have basic access to restroom facilities while working,” said Congressman Troy Nehls (R-TX-22). “American truckers are this nation’s backbone, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for the tremendous contributions they made during the pandemic. I thank Rep. Houlahan, OOIDA, and the Women In Trucking Association for partnering with me on this important legislation.”

The effort is supported by leading organizations in the trucker industry.

“The men and women of America’s trucking industry keep our supply chain moving and it’s only reasonable that their most basic of needs be accommodated while they are on the job,” said Todd Spencer, President and CEO of OOIDA. “We’ve heard from countless drivers who have been forced to ‘hold it’ because they were not allowed to access the bathroom when they were picking up or delivering freight. We thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue, and we look forward to continue working with them and our coalition partners to get this legislation signed into law.”

“As more women enter the trucking industry, the need for restroom access increases while access to facilities has decreased,” said Ellen Voie, President and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. “We applaud Representatives Nehls and Houlahan’s support to require shippers and receivers to offer our drivers this very basic need.”

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Small Business Committee. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.

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