The deregulation of the U.S. trucking industry was primarily achieved through the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, which was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Before this act, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) held tight control over the industry, dictating which companies could operate on specific routes and what prices they could charge, which often led to inefficiency and high costs for consumers. The push for deregulation was a bipartisan effort, largely championed by Senator Edward Kennedy and supported by economic advisors who believed that increased competition would lower shipping costs and improve service. The 1980 act significantly reduced the ICC’s power, making it easier for new trucking firms to enter the market and allowing existing companies more freedom to set their own rates. This shift fundamentally transformed American logistics, leading to the rise of massive "less-than-truckload" (LTL) carriers and a significant drop in the cost of transporting goods across the country, though it also led to intense pressure on driver wages and the eventual decline of many legacy firms.