Doug LaMalfa Remembered as Steady Voice for Trucking
California Republican Pushed Repeal of Federal Excise Tax for Trucks
Key Takeaways:
- Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican and senior Transportation and Infrastructure Committee member, died Jan. 6 at age 65 after a decade championing federal trucking and infrastructure policy.
- LaMalfa pushed freight connectivity, truck parking expansion and repeal of a World War I-era excise tax on new trucks, recently founding a bipartisan Congressional Trucking Caucus.
- Congressional leaders, industry officials and President Donald Trump praised his advocacy, while his legacy includes service since 2013 and leadership of the Congressional Western Caucus.
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One of Congress’ staunchest supporters of trucking and infrastructure funding policies died Jan. 6.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was 65.
For more than a decade, the representative from Northern California consistently pressed colleagues to support measures central to the federal trucking agenda. True to form, the soft-spoken policymaker recently founded a bipartisan caucus specific to the advancement of trucking improvement rules and regulations.
“I’m pleased to join the Congressional Trucking Caucus and focus on the difficult real-world issues truckers deal with constantly,” LaMalfa said in a statement that accompanied the caucus’ launch Dec. 17. “In rural areas especially, trucking isn’t optional. It’s how goods get to shelves, raw materials get to farms, and farms get their products to market. If you got it, a truck brought it. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure truckers can keep moving.”
American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said LaMalfa “was not only a steadfast supporter of truckers — he was one of them. Only a small handful of members of Congress hold a CDL, and Congressman LaMalfa spoke with pride about being a part of this elite group.”
Other policies championed by LaMalfa included enhancing freight connectivity at commercial ports, pursuing meaningful expansion of parking for commercial vehicle operators and undoing the World War I-era excise tax on the purchase of new trucks.
Last year, LaMalfa reintroduced his bipartisan anti-excise tax measure. He : “This is the highest percentage-based tax Congress imposes on any product, yet it fails to be a reliable source of funding for the Highway Trust Fund. This tax forces buyers to stick with older, less efficient models and makes it harder for truckers to modernize their rigs, holding back the trucking industry from updating. Let’s repeal this outdated tax and support the men and women who keep America moving.”
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The Transportation and Infrastructure panel’s chairman and ranking member reflected on LaMalfa’s passing. “I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend [Rep.] Doug LaMalfa has passed away,” said T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.). “Doug was a valued and thoughtful member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for nearly a decade and a fellow farmer who always strongly championed conservative values and the rights of rural Americans. He was a respected colleague who will be missed in the House of Representatives. My thoughts and prayers are with his fellow Californians, his friends and his family, especially his wife, Jill, and their children.”
“I am sorry that Rep. Doug LaMalfa passed away,” added Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the panel’s ranking member. “Doug served on the committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I knew him as a fierce advocate for his constituents. You always knew where he stood on issues which earned him the respect of colleagues. He must have been an early riser as a farmer because on the few days I myself have to get up before the dawn to get to the Capitol, I would run into Doug between the Cannon Building and the Madison Building on his way to an early breakfast before the congressional day started. My thoughts are with Jill and their kids.”
President Donald Trump said he dedicated his address Jan. 6 before congressional Republicans to LaMalfa: “I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member — a great, great, great member.”
Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care. He will be… — Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) took to social media to remember the lawmaker: “[Rep.] Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care. He will be deeply missed.”
LaMalfa began his congressional career in 2013. He was on the transportation committee for nearly a decade and was the leader of the Congressional Western Caucus.
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