Davids Works Sanitation Collection Shift, Highlights Her Bipartisan Law to Support Women Truck Drivers
Davids’ legislation was passed as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law
SHAWNEE, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids worked a "Sharice's Shift" alongside Terrell Banks, a five-year veteran with Waste Management, to collect trash at homes in Shawnee, KS. Davids highlighted her bipartisan legislation to support women truck drivers, which passed as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids was the only member of Kansas’ congressional delegation to support this historic investment in our state’s infrastructure.
While the trucking industry has recently seen a notable increase in female representation, with women now accounting for nearly 14 percent of drivers, the American Trucking Association warns of an ongoing shortage of truck drivers that’s projected to reach 160,000 drivers by 2030.
“In the Kansas City metro area, a pivotal transportation and shipping hub, we understand the important role of the trucking industry and its drivers in powering our daily lives and economy,” said Davids. “Amidst challenges in recruiting and retaining truck drivers, I’m proud that my bipartisan bill to eliminate barriers for women entering the trucking industry is creating good-paying jobs for Kansans. I’ll keep striving to support all Kansas workers, and that certainly includes the driver I had the privilege of shadowing today.”
“Congresswoman Davids, through her work, has demonstrated a commitment to assist and grow the number of women in the trucking industry,” said Carmen Perez, Area General Manager, Heartland Area Operations Management, Waste Management. “We at Waste Management share that commitment and we continue to focus on making progress on the issue. Thank you, Congresswoman, for taking time to learn about our industry and the amazing female drivers who help us accomplish our mission every day.”
Before joining Terrell Banks for her shift today, Davids visited a local Waste Management facility to meet with staff and discuss the flow of waste materials in the Kansas City region. She spoke about her efforts to create good-paying job opportunities for all Kansans and her bipartisan legislation to boost the trucking workforce by encouraging women to join the industry. Today’s events follow Davids’ visit to the Johnson County landfill earlier this month.
Davids previously introduced the bipartisan Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act to establish a Women in Trucking Advisory Board, which reviews and reports on challenges facing woman drivers. In 2022, the bill was signed into law as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Since then, the advisory board has completed its report with findings and final recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA will soon deliver an additional report to Congress describing its action to adopt the recommendations.
The bipartisan infrastructure law, which is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings, has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In all, more than $3.2 billion in federal bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been announced for Kansas, with more than 376 specific projects identified — from lead pipe replacement in Olathe to safety initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas to long-overdue upgrades to K-68 in Miami County.
Davids has also worked a "Sharice's Shift" with the KC Levee Project and at the K-10 Lexington Avenue exit, which will be the main roadway for Kansans traveling to the planned Panasonic Energy manufacturing facility. She also worked at a local restaurant and twomanufacturers to highlight her work to improve supply chains, at a local Price Chopper to discuss lowering grocery costs, and with UPS on her efforts to boost employment in the trucking industry amid driver shortages.