Thread: Administration to reinvent Mexican truck program

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration will try to reinvent a program to allow Mexican trucks full access to U.S. highways.

A pilot program that allowed a few Mexican trucks beyond a border buffer zone died when President Barack Obama signed a sweeping government spending bill Wednesday. The bill barred spending on the pilot program.

But an administration spokeswoman says Obama has asked the office of the U.S. Trade Representative to work with the Transportation Department, State Department and Congress to create a new trucking program.

The U.S. prohibits most Mexican trucks from driving more than about 20 miles, or 75 miles in Arizona, beyond the border. But the U.S. agreed to lift that ban after signing the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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NOT NO BUT HELL NO

http://www.examiner.com/a-1896796~Polic ... leComments

Police seize 1,200 pounds of pot in spinach cans
Mar 10, 2009 8:19 PM (1 day ago) AP

GALLUP, N.M. (Map, News) - Police with the New Mexico Motor Transportation Division found 1,200 pounds of pot packed in cans labeled as spinach during a stop at the Gallup port of entry. An inspector noticed that only a few of the cans were labeled and that the weight printed on the side of the can didn't match the actual weight. A closer look during last Friday's bust revealed the canned drugs, which were worth an estimated $1.5 million.

The four pallets of cans were being transported along with fresh produce.

The 50-year-old truck driver said he was on his way from California to the East Coast. The driver and the pot were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Administration to reinvent Mexican truck program

By SUZANNE GAMBOA – 3 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration will try to reinvent a program to allow Mexican trucks full access to U.S. highways.

An 18-month-old pilot program that allowed a few Mexican trucks beyond a border buffer zone died when President Barack Obama signed a sweeping $410 billion government spending bill on Wednesday. The bill barred spending on the pilot program.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Debbie Mesloh, said Obama has told the office to work with Congress, the Transportation and State departments and Mexican officials to come up with legislation to create "a new trucking project that will meet the legitimate concerns" of Congress and U.S. commitments under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Obama's nominee for trade representative, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, is awaiting Senate confirmation.

The U.S. prohibits most Mexican trucks from driving more than about 20 miles, or 75 miles in Arizona, beyond the border. But the U.S. agreed to lift that ban after signing the 1994 NAFTA deal with Canada and Mexico.

Canadian trucks have no limits on where they can go. But most Mexican trucks can't travel beyond a buffer zone along the southern border. The limits were imposed after lawmakers voiced safety concerns. But Mexico has long called it an unfair effort to protect U.S. jobs.

The previous pilot program allowed access for up to 500 Mexican trucks from 100 operators. It also allowed the U.S. to conduct inspections and other safety activities.

Under pressure from labor, safety and other groups, Congress cut off spending on the program in 2007. But last year, the Bush administration used a loophole in the law to keep it operating.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., sponsor of the provision in the spending bill that ended the program, wrote Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood this month to say he doesn't oppose Mexican long-haul trucks on U.S. roads, but wants them to be safe.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, cheered the end of the truck program.

"I am pleased that Congress has reclaimed its ability to have some bearing on the obligations contained in the surface transportation provisions of NAFTA and has voted for this step forward for highway safety," Oberstar said.

The Mexican government has protested the trucks ban, and prohibits U.S. trucks from driving far into Mexico. It could take additional retaliatory steps, such as raising tariffs on U.S. goods. The administration's announcement Wednesday did not comfort Mexican officials.

"Mexico still believes that the United States' noncompliance on this issue, more than 14 years overdue, is a violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement," said Ricardo Alday, embassy spokesman. But he said Mexico is willing to continue to work with Congress and the U.S. "in finding a solution that honors its international obligation."

The embassy said 103 Mexican trucks belonging to 26 carriers participated in the program. Ten U.S. carriers with 61 trucks could ply Mexico's roads.

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"Mexican truck driver detained after coke seizure"
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-149156-brooms.html

It's a real disappointment to learn that Sen. Dorgan, who worked so hard to get the Bush's Mexican Truck Program stopped, does not mind Mexican trucks on U.S. roads "as long as they are safe"! Those who wish to write to him providing information on Mexican truck drivers already stopped bringing illegal drugs into the country can do so below. And that does not include the smuggling of illegal aliens themselves, in addition to illegal foods and plants, exotic animals, and a host of other things which are bound to follow!

E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

[And, although he worked hard to defeat amnesty legislation in the Senate last year because he thought the proposed Guest Worker Program was unfair to U.S. workers, Sen. Dorgan voted for Sen. Leahy's Motion to Table Sen. Session's Amdt. No. 604 to the Stimulus Bill. This would have reauthorized the E-Verify Program for six years. So, evidentally his committment to the "U.S. worker" is not as deep as hoped, either.]

Originally Posted by Texas2step

"Mexican truck driver detained after coke seizure"
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-149156-brooms.html

It's a real disappointment to learn that Sen. Dorgan, who worked so hard to get the Bush's Mexican Truck Program stopped, does not mind Mexican trucks on U.S. roads "as long as they are safe"! Those who wish to write to him providing information on Mexican truck drivers already stopped bringing illegal drugs into the country can do so below. And that does not include the smuggling of illegal aliens themselves, in addition to illegal foods and plants, exotic animals, and a host of other things which are bound to follow!

E-mail: senator@dorgan.senate.gov

[And, although he worked hard to defeat amnesty legislation in the Senate last year because he thought the proposed Guest Worker Program was unfair to U.S. workers, Sen. Dorgan voted for Sen. Leahy's Motion to Table Sen. Session's Amdt. No. 604 to the Stimulus Bill. This would have reauthorized the E-Verify Program for six years. So, evidentally his committment to the "U.S. worker" is not as deep as hoped, either.]

I'm very disappointed in Senator Dorgan since the Obama takeover. It seems Dorgan has done a complete 180 on more than one issue now that Dems control both Legislative and Executive branches of gov't.

These people make me sick...lets hope the Teamsters keeps up a good fight, it is their truckers jobs at stake!

IMPEACH the FRAUD ~ Oh, I am sorry, you cant Impeach someone that cant rightfully hold office as the President

added to homepage

http://www.alipac.us/article4043.html

I'm very disappointed in Senator Dorgan since the Obama takeover. It seems Dorgan has done a complete 180 on more than one issue now that Dems control both Legislative and Executive branches of gov't.

Ditto Sherrod Brown of Ohio on this one.Mr.Brown seems to have taken a far wide turn to the left on issues as of late including the e-verify vote.