H.R. 2424 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025
Cosponsors: 15 (5 D, 10 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-10
Introduced: 2025-03-27
Latest action (2026-04-30): ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. LaHood asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 2424, a bill originally introduced by Representative LaMalfa, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
What H.R. 2424 does, in plain terms
Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2025 This bill repeals the 12% federal excise tax imposed on the first retail sale of certain heavy trucks, trailers, and tractors that generally are used on the highway. As background, a 12% federal excise tax is imposed on the sale price (of the first retail sale) of truck bodies and chassis suitable for use with a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of over 33,000 pounds; truck trailer and semitrailer bodies and chassis suitable for use with a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds; and tractors that are generally used for highway transportation in combination with a trailer or semitrailer, have a gross vehicle weight over 19,500 pounds, and have a gross combined weight of greater than 33,000 pounds. Amounts collected from the excise tax on the retail sale of heavy trucks, trailers, and tractors are deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. (The Highway Trust Fund supports surface transportation programs and projects.) Under current law, the excise tax on the retail sale of heavy trucks, trailers, and tractors expires on October 1, 2028.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-11
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
This bill repeals a federal excise tax on heavy trucks, trailers, and tractors. It does not expand federal power, restrict rights, or infringe individual sovereignty. It reduces a tax burden and returns decision-making to the market. The bill is fully constitutional.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. Repealing an existing tax is a valid exercise of that power. The bill does not create new federal authority or regulate beyond enumerated powers. -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
The bill does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, takings, fair trial, jury, cruel and unusual punishment, or any other right protected by the Bill of Rights. It simply removes a tax. -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
Repealing a tax reduces government intrusion on private property and economic freedom. Individuals and businesses retain more of their earnings and are freer to purchase trucks without federal penalty. No restriction on person, property, speech, labor, or belief is imposed. -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
The bill removes a federal tax, thereby reducing federal involvement in the truck market. Individuals and businesses can handle truck purchases without federal taxation. Local communities and states can manage their own transportation funding without this federal levy. The bill does not consolidate power upward; it devolves it downward. -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
The bill does not deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without due process. It does not take private property for public use without just compensation. Repealing a tax is the opposite of a taking — it leaves more property in private hands.
Sources: Congress.gov: HR 2424 summary
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