Rep. Altmire

U.S. Rep.

Jason Altmire, D-4th, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, this week announced his opposition to a proposal that would increase the size and weight restrictions on trucks that use America’s interstates.The provision within the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which authorizes surface transportation programs through the 2016 fiscal year, seeks to increase the truck weight limit from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds.“Proof that America’s roads and bridges cannot sustain an increase in truck weight only requires a look at the crumbling infrastructure in Western Pennsylvania,” Altmire said.“Our region has some of the most structurally deficient bridges in the country, and allowing heavier trucks only puts Pennsylvanians at an added risk.”Tom Armstrong, the member services coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, praised Altmire’s decision.“Longer and heavier trucks are more dangerous and would threaten the roads and bridges we all use every day,” Armstrong said.Meanwhile, Altmire on Wednesday praised the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed rule change to the Family Medical Leave Act regarding leave for family members of military servicemen and women.The proposed rule would allow family members to take up to 26 weeks off work under FMLA to care for a veteran up to five years after returning home from active duty.Altmire noted that the proposed rule expands on Altmire’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2008 fiscal year that allowed military families to take time off under FMLA to manage issues that arise as a result of deployment of an immediate family member.