Passed by a vote of 395 to 18, the bill H.R. 6630 terminates a Department of Transportation (DOT) cross-border trucking demonstration project and prohibits the DOT from granting new authority for Mexican trucks to operate beyond the commercial zones on the border without express authorization by Congress.
Mexican trucks are currently allowed to operate legally only within a 20-mile commercial zone around U.S.–Mexican border crossings.
"Before the border is completely opened to Mexican trucks, we must ensure the safety of motorists on our highways," said Highways and Transit Subcommittee Ranking Member John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), in a press release. "No matter how much we want to have good relations with our friends in Mexico, our first obligation is to the American people."
Also See:
House Bucks Bush on Mexican Trucking Access (2007)
Bush to Build NAFTA Superhighway? (Liberal Politics)
John McCain on NAFTA (US Economy)
Comments
We do not need those trucks on our roads delivering goods that are harmful to the USA. This could be just another way for smuggling into the USA
We should develop central truck drop off points.
The Mexican truck drivers drop off the Mexican goods for sale in the USA. American Federal Inspectors insure that the products are safe and what they are claimed to be.Afterwards American trucking companies pick up the merchandise and deliver the cargo.
Increase in American truck jobs and Mexico sells goods to USA.
My family has a long history in trucking ,starting with my grandfather back in the 1930′s to my daughter starting in 2001 .
I have seen no official info on this and have no way to back this comment up with proof, but Its been said by more than a few OTR drivers I have spoken to
that the Mexican trucks and drivers have no where near the requirements for safety either for the rigs, trailers or the drivers. That should be a major concern when thinking about those “good relations with our friends in Mexico, and the safety to the American Public on our Hyways.
Can you just see it now ? DOT pulling over American Drivers for a couple of missing or defective “chicken hauling lights ” but letting Mexican trucks roll on by with bald tires or some such. …
Kat, I think that is the very reason Congress is so hesitant to allow Mexican trucks on our highways. In Mexico, truck maintenance and driver health requirements are almost completely up to the trucking companies, themselves. Very minimal government oversight.