Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, successfully pressured the U.S. Department of Transportation to abandon a proposal that would treat farmers and ranchers who drive tractors, haul trailers, or operate farm vehicles on public roads like commercial truck drivers. This onerous regulation would have placed another unnecessary burden on Montana's farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses. Last month, Rehberg expressed his concerns in a letter to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Anne Ferro.
In response to this pressure, DoT today announced it would not implement this anti-agriculture rule, and leave these decisions in the hands of the states where they belong.
"I'm glad the Department of Transportation put this proposal in the compost pile where it belongs. Montana's farmers and ranchers have enough to worry about with floods and commodity prices without unelected bureaucrats imposing senseless rules designed for places like New York City."