Petition for the Establishment of the United States Department of Freight (USDF)

Protecting Free-Market Freight Operations and American Truckers

 

Introduction

We, the undersigned citizens, carriers, and shippers of the United States, petition for the creation of the United States Department of Freight (USDF). The USDF will serve as a federal, non-profit organization designed to restore fairness, transparency, and accountability in the national freight industry.

Private freight brokers currently extract excessive fees, manipulate markets, and limit fair competition. This behavior harms carriers, shippers, and ultimately the American public. The creation of the USDF will allow direct contracting between shippers and carriers through a secure, transparent, federally operated platform, restoring integrity to freight operations nationwide.

American freight is deemed essential infrastructure and must be protected as a matter of national security. The reliable operation of freight and logistics is critical to the economic stability and national defense of the United States.

Purpose

The purpose of the USDF is to establish and maintain a centralized, secure, and publicly accountable system that directly connects carriers and shippers. The Department will:

·         Increase market transparency and protect fair competition.

·         Reduce unnecessary costs and eliminate predatory middleman practices.

·         Provide security and accountability in every freight transaction.

·         Preserve the integrity of the free market without government price control or interference.

Prohibition on Private Freight Brokering

Upon establishment of the USDF, private freight brokering will be prohibited within the jurisdiction of the United States. No private person or company will be allowed to collect fees, commissions, or act as an intermediary between carriers and shippers outside of the USDF platform.

Prohibition on Brokering Freight and Insurance in the Class 8 Transportation Industry

This petition further proposes that the brokering of freight and the brokering of insurance within the Class 8 transportation industry be made unlawful under federal law.

Freight transportation is deemed essential infrastructure and a matter of national security. The uninterrupted, transparent, and secure movement of goods is critical to the economic stability, public safety, and national defense of the United States. The use of intermediaries in freight transactions undermines transparency, increases systemic risk, and exposes critical supply chains to abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.

All transactions related to freight movement and insurance coverage within the Class 8 transportation industry must be conducted directly between service providers and end users. End users include trucking companies, owner-operators, fleet operators, truck dealerships, leasing companies, and any other entities that operate or depend upon Class 8 vehicles.

Any person or entity that knowingly engages in the brokering of freight or the brokering of insurance within the Class 8 transportation industry shall be in violation of federal law. Such violations shall constitute criminal offenses and shall be subject to enforcement by the United States Department of Justice, including imprisonment, fines, forfeiture, or other penalties as provided under federal law.

Insurance Reforms for Class 8 Vehicles (Direct Placement + $1,000,000 Cap)

This petition proposes that insurance brokering related to Class 8 vehicles and 18-wheelers be made unlawful. Any insurance company that provides coverage connected to the ownership or operation of Class 8 vehicles shall be prohibited from using insurance brokers or intermediary agents. All underwriting, pricing, binding, and servicing must be conducted directly between the insurance carrier and the end user.

A federal cap of $1,000,000 shall apply to total insurance liability for any single incident, occurrence, claim, settlement, or judgment arising from the operation of a Class 8 commercial vehicle. This cap is necessary to restore predictability and affordability in the trucking insurance market and to protect small carriers and owner-operators from unsustainable premium increases.

Trucking insurance has become prohibitively expensive due to abusive litigation practices and excessive awards that drive premiums higher across the industry. Reasonable liability limits and direct insurance placement are necessary to make commercial trucking insurance affordable again and to maintain a stable national freight system.

Enforcement

Violations will be subject to civil and criminal penalties enforced by the Department of Justice, in coordination with the USDF Inspectorate and other appropriate federal agencies.

Funding

The USDF will be funded exclusively through a $25 per month membership fee paid by registered carriers and shippers for access to the national load board and related services. Funds will be used solely for:

·         Platform maintenance and technology protection.

·         Staffing and enforcement of the Act.

·         Oversight, transparency, and public reporting.

No portion of these funds may be used to influence freight rates or manipulate market prices.

Accountability and Oversight

The USDF will operate as a non-profit federal entity subject to full public transparency. Independent audits, public reporting, and congressional oversight will ensure financial integrity and operational accountability.

Governance

The Department will be governed by a Board of Directors composed solely of individuals with proven experience in freight operations. Board members must be current or former carriers, shippers, or senior managers in trucking or logistics companies. No politicians, lobbyists, or campaign affiliates will be eligible to serve in any leadership position.

Board members will be appointed by the President of the United States, confirmed by Congress, and will serve staggered four-year terms to preserve consistency and accountability.

Conclusion

The establishment of the United States Department of Freight represents a critical step toward fairness, competition, and stability in the freight industry. The USDF will empower American truckers, protect shippers, eliminate abusive brokerage practices, and ensure that freight pricing remains governed by the open market.

We, the undersigned, call upon Congress and the President to create the United States Department of Freight and restore integrity to America’s freight economy.