President Joe Biden

Biden readies critical supply chain review

President Joe Biden is preparing to make good on a campaign promise to review critical supply chains and reduce American dependence on imports for pandemic-related equipment and materials.

In July 2020, while he was officially still the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee, Biden laid out a plan to help the U.S. prevent shortages of critical products needed in times of crisis. The plan was in response to what he and others saw as failed efforts of the Trump administration during...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/biden-readies-critical-supply-chain-review

Biden’s plan to energize last-mile road safety

When President Joe Biden unveiled his $1.3 trillion, 10-year infrastructure plan during the 2020 presidential campaign, he emphasized technologies that could be used by state and local governments to reduce accidents, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication and connected intersections. He also vowed to work with Congress to increase federal funding for safety initiatives like the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).

Now that Pete Buttigieg has been confirmed as secretary of the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bidens-plan-to-energize-last-mile-road-safety

Ports press Congress, Biden for emergency funds

A coalition of 37 maritime industry groups is asking Congress and President Joe Biden to fund a new relief program to strengthen an industry weakened by the effects of COVID-19.

“Despite container surges at several large ports, commercial cargo volumes have plummeted across the industry — total waterborne trade volume is down 5.5% compared to last year, while the value of this trade has crashed by 12.7% totaling $200 billion,” the groups, which included the American Association of Port...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ports-press-congress-biden-for-emergency-funds

Truckers exempt from CDC mask requirement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has exempted solo commercial truck drivers from new regulations that require transportation workers to wear masks.

The CDC’s mask regulation, issued on Friday, states that in addition to those operating noncommercial, private automobiles and those operated by the U.S. military, “commercial motor vehicles or trucks (weighing 10,001 pounds or more)” are exempt from the requirement “if the driver is sole occupant of the vehicle or truck.”

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/truckers-exempt-from-cdc-mask-requirement

FreightWaves Truck Talk: Inside job edition

This week we’re looking at the latest at Workhorse Group; new parts and components for Kenworth and Mack heavy-duty trucks; burgeoning growth in Daimler Trucks parts stores; and  the never-ending debate over battery-electric versus hydrogen fuel cells.

Five trucks a day

Workhorse Group (NASDAQ: WKHS) is shooting to build about five of its C-Series electric delivery vans a day this quarter and double production to 10 a day later this year. That’s according to Chief Financial Officer Steve...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/freightwaves-truck-talk-inside-job-edition

Biden underscores support for Jones Act

President Joe Biden asserted “strong support” for the Jones Act as part of a “Made in America” executive order he plans to sign on Monday.

“The President will continue to be a strong advocate for the Jones Act and its mandate that only U.S.-flag vessels carry cargo between U.S. ports, which supports American production and America’s workers,” according to a summary of the order.

“With the signing of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Jones Act has also been affirmed as an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-underscores-support-for-jones-act

Biden signs executive order to strengthen COVID supply chains

Shortages in COVID-19-related equipment and vaccines have prompted an executive order from President Joe Biden to address urgent supply gaps by coordinating, monitoring and strengthening supply chains.

The executive order, called A Sustainable Public Health Supply Chain and signed on Thursday, was one of a flurry of presidential actions issued by Biden after he was sworn in on Wednesday.

The order directs federal agencies “to fill supply shortfalls using all available legal authorities, including...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-signs-executive-order-to-strengthen-covid-supply-chains

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