Freight Expected to Roll on During Shutdown
Transportation attorney Jameson Rice was interviewed for a Freight Waves article examining how the government shutdown will affect freight supply chains. He clarified that most federal agencies tasked with running programs and services affecting freight movement are either funded by mechanisms such as the Highway Trust Fund that are separate from the annual appropriations process or have employees deemed essential and thus able to keep working. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) shutdown plans, safety functions related to domestic goods movement will continue during the funding lapse.
"DOT modal agencies are largely charged with safety functions, so anytime you cut from that you run the risk of decreasing safety," he said. "It may not be felt immediately, but you will in the long term."