Legislative Alert - September 11, 2007 - Mexican Trucking Program Funding

The U.S. Senate is considering an amendment from Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) (see press release below) to kill funding for the Bush administration’s Mexican trucking pilot program.

With the implementation of cross-border trucking, cross-border trains are sure to follow. This is an issue we need not face on the railroad industry, so let’s make a big push. Please encourage everyone to call the Senate switchboard and ask to speak to their Senators asking them to support this amendment. The Capitol’s switchboard is (202) 224-3121.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan introduced an amendment Monday to stop the Bush Administration's pilot program that now allows Mexican trucks to haul freight throughout the United States.

Dorgan offered the amendment to the FY 2008 Transportation - Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. It would cut off funds for implementing the program.

Specifically, the amendment stipulates that "None of the funds made available under this Act may be used to establish a cross-border motor carrier demonstration program to allow Mexico domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones along the international border between the United States and Mexico."

The Bush Administration rushed to implement the pilot program late last week - literally in the dark of night. It was launched just one hour after a required Transportation Department Inspector General's report was issued. That report identified numerous problems with allowing the program to go forward.

"They didn't even wait for the ink to dry, much less read the report or consider the questions it raised," Dorgan said.

He described the Administration's hurried action as "arrogant" and said that it "puts Americans at risk" because Mexican enforcement of truck and driver standards are "much less rigorous" than in the United States."

A spectacular crash of two Mexican trucks earlier Monday in northern Mexico makes the point that the need is for caution, not speed, in allowing Mexican trucks to travel throughout the United States, Dorgan said. Two trucks collided in northern Mexico. One was loaded with explosives. The accident left 37 dead and a 65 foot crater in the road.