Thread: Congress Votes to Require Bush Administration’s NAFTA Truc

Congress Votes to Require Bush Administration’s NAFTA Trucks Proposal to Comply With Congressional Safety Mandates

Provisions in Supplemental Funding Bill Require DOT to Address Safety Issues and Disclose Details of Plan to Give Mexico-Domiciled Trucks Full Access to U.S. Roads

The U.S. Congress last night put a premium on the welfare of American drivers by approving provisions in a supplemental Iraq funding bill to ensure that any pilot program to allow Mexico-domiciled trucks full access to the nation’s highways does not circumvent safety standards or congressional oversight.

Posted: 5/25/2007

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The provisions concerning cross-border trucking require the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to follow all applicable rules and regulations that apply to pilot programs in allowing Mexico-domiciled trucks into the country. They also mandate that trucking companies and trucks comply with all applicable U.S. laws and that the operation of Mexico-domiciled trucks in the United States does not have a negative impact on safety.

“We applaud the Congress’s persistence in ensuring the safety of the public on our highways,â€

May 25, 2007, 1:18PM
Iraq Bill Restricts Mexican Truck Access


By DAN CATERINICCHIA AP Business Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON — Provisions to delay a White House plan, giving trucks from Mexico unrestricted access to U.S. highways, are in the $120 billion Iraq spending bill President Bush is expected to sign Friday.

Congress passed the revised spending bill Thursday, providing $95 billion for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan through September. It does not include a troop withdrawal timeline favored by Democrats that drew Bush's veto once before.

The legislation also includes several requirements, such as a certification from the Department of Transportation inspector general verifying safety and inspection requirements before the Mexican truck pilot can start. The Bush administration wanted to start a one-year pilot this year, and if successful, fully open the border to Mexican trucks.

Teamsters President Jim Hoffa praised Congress for restricting "the Bush administration's reckless plan to throw open our borders to unsafe Mexican trucks ... (and) for acting quickly to keep our roads safe."

In addition to questioning whether Mexican trucks and drivers can meet U.S. safety standards, lawmakers are concerned about the program eliminating jobs for American truckers. The Teamsters, the Sierra Club, Public Citizen and the Environmental Law Foundation last month sued in federal court to block the pilot.

Rafael Laveaga, communication director at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, Friday declined comment beyond remarks he made earlier this month about the provisions. Citing the North American Free Trade Agreement, he said then the House's action raised questions "about the commitment of most of its members to comply with international trade obligations."

The Mexican truck provisions in the war spending bill came from a House of Representatives bill passed overwhelmingly on May 15. That bill, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., tightened restrictions on trucks traveling into the U.S.

Boyda is pleased that most of the Mexican trucking provisions were included in the Iraq spending bill, her spokesman said Friday.

Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rep. Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., chair of the highways subcommittee, also welcomed the restrictions, but said they intend to pursue stronger House legislation that would prevent the Bush administration from expanding the pilot.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4836487.html

I hope the don't trust the DOT's word for it they are well known liars, better keep your eye on them Teamsters they are for the NAU


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To everybody out there hanging in the backround yes you!! we invite you to...
let your voices be heard, Its time to get involved, calls, faxes, and e-mails, post at the link below to let everyone know what you are hearing, it helps our leaders to make decisions on what steps to take next. Lets let congress know what real Americans Want!!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... c&p=363412

Check out Operation Bring it Home also and get your home towns involved!!

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... ic&t=63288

If anyone can't find information for contacting senators or not sure what to do, just ask, someone will help you, We have lots 0f nice people just waiting to help you!!

HINT: EASY WAY TO HELP OUT.....When you post on another site with good patriotic Americans leave behind a Momentous message, the link to ALIPAC ( http://www.alipac.us/index.php ).
Any donations to help keep ALIPAC afloat will be much appreciated

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Dear Jim

We scored a major victory in the fight against keeping unsafe Mexican trucks off of U.S. highways. Congress voted yesterday to further tighten restrictions on the Bush administration's pilot program, effectively delaying the reckless project.

And we couldn't have done it without you. You and thousands of our Teamster brothers and sisters flooded Capitol Hill with tens of thousands of emails and phone calls demanding an end to the Department of Transportation's half-baked plan to give Mexican trucking companies open access to our highways. Our voices were heard loud and clear by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Additional restrictions on Mexican trucks traveling into the United States beyond the commercial zones, originally part of a House bill sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., were added to the War Supplemental Appropriations bill. The funding bill passed the House by a vote of 280-142 and the Senate by a vote of 80-14.

The bill requires the Transportation Department's inspector general to make sure the department is able to impose U.S. safety rules and conditions on Mexican trucks that travel beyond the commercial zone.

The inspector general must also report to Congress whether the pilot program is hurting highway safety and whether safety laws are being enforced.

The bill requires the Transportation Department to tell the public exactly how it will make sure the pilot program is safe and that all drivers are able to speak English, as required by law. Transportation officials must also reveal how they plan to ensure Mexican truck drivers only pick up and deliver goods between the two nations, and not between two points inside the United States.

Thank you again for your time and attention to this important issue. Together we have proven once again that solidarity brings victory!