Perspective: ATD Sets Sights on Three Key Issues During Fly-In Lobbying Push

The American Truck Dealers (ATD) is rallying nearly 100 medium- and heavy-duty truck dealer representatives in Washington this week for its annual Legislative Fly-In, aiming to push three critical policy priorities with Congress. ATD Chairman Kevin Holmes will lead the charge, arguing against expanded “right to repair” legislation, pushing for the repeal of the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on heavy highway vehicles, and advocating for the passage of the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act. The event runs June 22–23, 2026. ATD contends that independent repair shops already have equal access to parts and data under a 2015 memorandum of understanding between major truck manufacturers and aftermarket associations, dismissing claims that broader right-to-repair laws are necessary. The association will oppose any expansion of the scaled-back right-to-repair provisions recently approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which could be attached to a highway bill this summer. The FET, first enacted in 1917 to fund World War I, remains a major sticking point. ATD argues the 12% tax adds at least $22,000 to the cost of a new heavy-duty diesel truck and $50,000 to an electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck, creating a barrier to fleet modernization and delaying the adoption of cleaner, safer, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Repealing the FET would accelerate fleet turnover, improve highway safety, and reduce emissions by replacing older trucks sooner. The third priority is the PART Act (H.R. 5221/S. 2238), which targets the surge in thefts of emissions control devices like diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts. These devices contain valuable precious metals, and thefts have surged due to rising metal prices. The lack of unique identification numbers on these components makes them nearly untraceable, hampering law enforcement. The PART Act would require manufacturers to stamp unique identifying numbers on emissions control devices during assembly, creating a national framework to combat the crime. ATD represents nearly 4,000 new-truck dealers and 150,000 employees, positioning itself as the unified voice of the industry in Washington. Holmes emphasized the trucking sector’s role as the backbone of the U.S. economy, calling for sensible policies that support growth and innovation.