Bush administration moving ahead despite congressional opposition

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Posted: April 12, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern


By Jerome R. Corsi
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


(TTNews.com)
Despite congressional opposition, the Bush administration is fully committed to beginning within weeks a pilot test that will allow Mexican trucks to operate freely across the U.S.

A spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ian Grossman, told WND the agency plans to grant the first authority for a Mexican trucking company to operate its long-haul rigs throughout the U.S. as early as the end of this month.

WND previously reported an amendment introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., into the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Appropriations Bill is designed to block the Department of Transportation's pilot test until the Mexican government authorizes U.S. trucking companies to operate in Mexico
WND also reported Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., has introduced the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act, designed to block the test until current FMSCA regulations regarding Mexican trucks operating beyond commercial zones along the international border are clarified and strengthened.

The Mexican trucking company can begin operating trucks in the U.S. immediately, once the FMCSA grants the authority, Grossman told WND.

Grossman explained granting authority to the 100 Mexican trucking companies specified under the DOT pilot test may take between four to six months to complete.

"The department is committed to moving forward with this program," he said, "and will continue to work with members of Congress to address their concerns."

Reaction from the Teamsters Union was immediate and sharp.

"The Department of Transportation can't enforce truck safety in the United States, let alone at the southern border," spokeswoman Leslie Miller told WND. "The Bush administration continues to show a reckless disregard for the will of Congress and the American people who oppose this illegal pilot project."

Rod Nofzinger, spokesman for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, was equally critical.

"Unfortunately, the administration is bound and determined to move forward with their Mexican trucking program despite the serious concerns that have been raised by the American public, Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and lawmakers on Capital Hill, both Republicans and Democrats alike," Nofzinger told WND.

"I have little doubt that they want to beat Congress to the finish line on this," Nofzinger continued. "They know that once the toothpaste is out of the tube, it's awfully hard to get it back in. Once Mexican trucks start rolling throughout the U.S., it will be very difficult for Congress and the American people to turn them back, regardless of the safety and security risks that they'll be carrying with them."

Hunter also was critical of the FMCSA decision to begin implementing the Mexican truck pilot test immediately.

The congressman's spokesman, Joe Kasper, told WND Hunter has significant concerns about the program.

"Congressman Hunter maintains that compliance and enforcement standards must be clarified and strengthened before the pilot program is implemented," Kasper said. "Congressman Hunter will utilize the program's impending implementation as an opportunity to promote and continue highlighting the importance of the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act."

Responding to the congressional concerns, Grossman said Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta had certified in 2002 that DOT met each of the 22 safety requirements Congress in the Fiscal Year 2002 DOT Appropriations Bill demanded be met before allowing trucks from Mexico to drive beyond U.S. commercial zones along the border.

Kasper disagreed, insisting Mineta's certification was not enough.

"We need public disclosure of the safety requirements and public debate, including a DOT filing in the Federal Register before we approve this test," Kasper told WND.

"While the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act restates the safety conditions included in the FY2002 appropriations measure," Kasper continued, "the legislation goes further by requiring the implementation of English proficiency standards and data base accessibility for law enforcement officials to verify a driver's identification and criminal history."

Hunter's NAFTA Trucking Safety Act has been referred to several House committees, including House Transportation and Infrastructure; Homeland Security; Judiciary; and Ways and Means.

According to Kasper, the NAFTA Trucking Safety Act has collected 18 co-sponsors.

Asked to comment on the Feinstein amendment or Hunter's NAFTA Trucking Safety Act, Grossman told WND the FMCSA "was engaging in no speculation on the course of possible congressional legislation" regarding the Mexican truck pilot test

[jayburd]

I can only imagine how things will be.....their dump trucks in Dallas throw more nuts and bolts than rocks!

[PackRatTDI]

Next time do a damn search, there are about 1,356,562 threads on this subject already.

[kips41]

I imagine that the companies that haul in and out of Laredo and other places will eventually take a hit in this. I am sure glad that I pull reefer.

Then there is the safety issue, but heck the mexican trucks can't be much worse than alot of these guys pulling containers in and out of the ports here in the good ol USA.

I imagine that the companies that haul in and out of Laredo and other places will eventually take a hit in this. I am sure glad that I pull reefer.

Don't worry, your job is safe, but your wages! I am glad I am not an o/o.

If your interested in a protest read:




Breaker, Breaker, a "Truck Out" Planned Over Mexican Drivers Entering the USA !
American Truckers to Protest Pilot Program


The U.S. trucking industry is spinning its wheels over President Bush's push for a "test program" that would give Mexican trucking companies the freedom to operate anywhere in our country. Many politicians, US DOT workers, and citizens are revving their engines in response. U.S. truckers plan to conduct a "rolling blockade" around the country on April 23, 24, and 25 to protest.

Congress answered the President's agenda with ideas of its own. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), introduced H.R.1756, which would keep Mexican companies from going beyond a designated area at the border until safety and security issues are fine-tuned. Several Senators have also submitted bills to keep the President's idea from becoming a reality. The President, however, has threatened to veto any bill that would stifle the plan.

Safety and national security are not the only reasons for outrage. Ironically, Mexican officials are crying "unfair," while they refuse to allow U.S. drivers to operate in their country under the same standards. Perhaps they object to the fact that most Canadian trucks are granted entry to the U.S. without much ado. Canadian truckers, however, read, write, and speak English, an important prerequisite to driving here. The other side of this is that Canadian truckers are permitted to deliver freight only to the destination on the bill of lading. They are not allowed to haul interstate freight, although they can reload and deliver back into Canada. U.S. drivers follow the same rules when traveling in and out of Canada.

Also of importance is how this action will affect the wage of the American trucker. In a time where deregulation, rising health and fuel costs, and road taxes have caused many companies to close, how will those remaining compete with the wages of a Mexican driver? Neither the President, nor any of the plan's supporters, has addressed this issue.

Even though part of the protocol requires Mexican drivers to "study" English, many doubt that they will be proficient enough to navigate a U.S. highway or communicate with workers at their destinations. There are safety issues for the American driver as well. Has anyone considered the power of a loaded tractor-trailer against that of a Ford Focus? The potential for accidents, injuries, and deaths to increase when this program begins is real. What will the government do to ensure that these drivers carry out the Department of Transportation "Hours of Service" rules? We have no answers. No doubt, the U.S. taxpayer will be the one to foot the bill for this experiment.
You have to wonder why such access would be given to foreign drivers of big rigs without heavy regulations. After all, the American teenager has to endure a series of exams just to drive a car. Anyone wishing to obtain a commercial driver's license here is subject to great scrutiny, including finger printing and background clearances. Why would U.S. citizens have to face more obstacles than foreign ones to drive within their own borders?

I asked a few trucker friends their thoughts. They voiced concerns over a variety of issues, the main one being safety. None could see how this would create better business in the U.S.A., and each is angry with the government for considering it. They are outraged that they must pass exams, pay extra for their licenses, and face daily checks by transportation officials when it would seem that the Mexican drivers would not have to do the same. They did admit that there seems to be a shortage of professional drivers in America, but did not feel this is a solution to the problem.

If any of you have access to the Open Road Channel on satellite radio, tune in to listen to the debate over this issue. Program hosts have made excellent points, which President Bush and his supporters continue to ignore. Let's hope they pay attention to the "Truck Out." Will you?

[Fozzy]

Just a side note. When I was in Mexico a few weeks back I had the chance to talk to two Mexican drivers who already haul into the U.S. but only over the border then someone else takes there trailer and they pick up an empty.

These guys are not happy with going into the U.S. and said they all feel the same way. They said there hours they run will be cut way down and they will make less money. I guess in Mexico they run there butts off but will be restricted to our HOS which they don't like.

[greg3564]

Look here, the govt. is going to do what ever pleases them. Mexican trucks are coming sooner or later. That's a fact. Even the bills that certain politicians say will stop this, really dont. If you take the time to read these bills, all they are doing is adding a few more hurdles and buying more time. It's going to happen no matter what. The real question is not if, but when it's starting. I would say it will start before the end of the year.

Let's be a little realistic here. Most(not all) truck drivers haven't even voted in years. The PR image of trucking is terrible. Ask anyone who doesn't have a trucker in the family what they think a trucker is? They'll tell you of a guy with long hair, tatoos, missing teeth and who's a drug using convicted felon. We know that is not really the truth, at least not all of it. The point of all this is, is a politician really going to pick a major fight and use up hard earned brownie points to get this killed for truckers? No.

[Shebear]

Yup, the topic of the Mexican truckers has been around for a few weeks. So what?

It's important to realize that the NORTH AMERICAN UNION, with the USA, Mexico, and Canada, all losing their national sovereignty in order to give the corporate puppeteers EVEN MORE POWER has been planned for 20 years behind our backs, and with NO DEMOCRACY for checks, balances, and free votes.

The Trucker's Strike April 23-24 is no joke.

Cancel the siesta and do some more research before you badmouth it anymore.

[Sheepdancer]

We have a record number of drivers scheduled for orientation monday the 23rd. I wonder why? Oh yeah, drivers strikes never materialize.
The problem.....for every driver that doesnt take a load on monday or tues, that just means more miles, money and loads for those drivers who are working monday or tues. There are A LOT more drivers worrying about making money than worrying about mexicans.
Now from a recruiting standpoint, If a huge strike happened, a lot of drivers would lose their job. Which in turn would mean a lot of empty trucks, which would make my commissions as a recruiter go up big time.
Hmmmmm, maybe this strike would be a good thing.