WASHINGTON - Rep. John Boozman, R-AR, today issued the following statement on why he choose to withdraw his amendment that would give truck drivers the option to take additional rest breaks.

"It has become clear that there is a lot of misinformation about why I am seeking to change the rules governing truck drivers' hours. These rules are rigid and lead to unsafe roads. For this reason, I have been working to add flexibility to the rules for over two years now. I withdrew my amendment today, but pledge to keep working on this issue. I will attempt to work with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, as well as officials in the administration, to soothe their concerns and provide the nation's truckers with a little relief," Boozman said.

Boozman's amendment would allow truck drivers to take up to two hours of off-duty time during their daily tour of duty. The time off would be unpaid and completely optional, but it would allow truckers an opportunity to rest throughout the course of the day and not push so hard to make their runs. Specific language was included in the amendment to ensure that drivers' break time could be used only for rest and could not be used as additional driving or working hours.

Known in the industry as the hours of service rule, this regulation is currently being revisited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration because a federal appellate court vacated the rule because it failed to consider the effects on the health of drivers.