[b]I wrote to Tom Allen (ME) concerning the Mexican Truck Project.

b]

September 15, 2008

Dear Ms. XXXXXX:

Thank you for expressing your concern about the decision
of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to allow Mexican
trucks on U.S. highways. I appreciate hearing from you.

Currently, Mexican trucks are only allowed within twenty
miles of the U.S-Mexico border because Mexican trucks often do
not meet the safety, environmental, and labor standards set for U.S.
trucks. For example, there are no adequate hours of service rules
for Mexican truckers, and only a flimsy drug and alcohol testing
program. Previously, it had been determined that Mexican trucks
posed a threat to U.S. drivers' safety.

H.R. 2764, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2008,
contained a provision that prohibits the establishment of a program
that allows Mexican truck drivers to operate beyond the
commercial zones near the Mexican border. This bill was passed
by both the House and Senate and enacted into law on December
26, 2007.

The intent of the law was to stop the Mexican Truck pilot
program that was established by the DOT in September, 2007.
The DOT recently extended the pilot program for an additional two
years. The Bush administration claims that the prohibition in H.R.
2764 does not apply to the pilot program because the program
began before that law was enacted and the provision states that the
government may not spend any money to "establish" the program.
I disagree with this conclusion and support efforts to clarify
Congress' intent.

Most recently, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced H.R.
6630 to again clarify Congress' intent and ensure the safety of our
roads. The House passed H.R. 6630 on September 9, 2008. The
Senate must now consider the bill, which President Bush has
already threatened to veto. Please be assured that I will continue to
support efforts to eliminate the Mexican truck pilot program.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to do
so again on issues important to you.





Sincerely,


Tom Allen
Member of Congress



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