Graves: Government Shutdown Could Hurt Trucking
The shutdown of the federal government could harm the economy, which in turn听would hurt the trucking industry, American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said.
Appearing on the Fox Business Network on Oct. 3, Graves said trucking is recovering from the recession of recent years, but the effects of the听shutdown and potential problems with the United States hitting its debt limit in coming weeks could reverse that.
鈥淲e think the government shutdown and the potential for ongoing debate over the debt ceiling could really have a very, very negative impact on consumer confidence on the overall health of the economy,鈥 he said.
In addition to the indirect effects, truckers who haul for the government could see more direct consequences of the shutdown.
鈥淎 lot of tonnage in this country, a lot of product is moved in support of government functions,鈥 said Graves, who served as听governor of Kansas from 1995 to 2003. 鈥淎s people get laid off and there鈥檚 not disposable income, people perhaps don鈥檛 get checks, they don鈥檛 buy stuff, there isn鈥檛 as much demand to stock shelves, it all adds up.鈥
Graves said that in general, he鈥檚 optimistic about the industry.
鈥淲e know the economy鈥檚 going to rebound and come back in spite of some government inadequacies,鈥 he said.
