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U.S. economic activity remained generally weak in June and early July, and several regions reported trucking companies were having a hard time recouping higher costs, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the Department of Transportation’s fiscal 2009 budget aimed at halting the U.S.-Mexico trucking pilot program.

Arkansas Best Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 17% to $16.2 million, or 64 cents a share, from $19.6 million, or 78 cents, a year ago.

The EPA has mandated equipment on our trucks, which adds weight. Why not allow the carriers the chance to recoup the payload?

Vitran Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 16% to $4.6 million, or 34 cents a share, from $5.5 million, or 41 cents, a year earlier.

Eastern freight railroad Norfolk Southern Corp. said its second-quarter profit rose 15%, as higher revenue per shipment offset an overall drop in traffic and record fuel prices.

Transportation and third-party logistics firm C.H. Robinson Worldwide said its second-quarter profit rose to $90.4 million, or 52 cents a share, from $82.3 million, or 47 cents, a year ago.

Heavy equipment and diesel engine maker Caterpillar Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter profit rose 34%, led by international demand.

Canada’s two biggest freight railroads reported downturns in their second-quarter profits, Bloomberg reported.