ARLINGTON, Va. - American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves issued the following statement on the Senate’s vote against a common sense productivity increase for the trucking industry. “It is unfortunate the Senate has chosen to give up on what could be a very beneficial change in policy.    “This modest increase in tandem trailer length would reduce the number of truck trips needed to move an increasing amount of freight while making better use of a dwindling pool of drivers.  “This common sense solution holds the potential to ease congestion, reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of the supply chain.  “There are so many upsides to the use of twin 33s that it is inevitable this change will come to pass. Decision makers cannot continue to embrace unsafe and unproductive strategies, and expect to have this nation’s freight continue to get delivered. Ultimately the economy will win this debate. “I urge lawmakers to retain the language voted on in the House that would permit these safe and efficient vehicles on America’s highways.”