The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today expressed its disappointment in the passage of Senate Amendment 2797 to H.R. 3074, the FY2008 Appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies. The amendment, proposed by Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), prohibits the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from continuing a pilot program, which would have granted Mexican trucks access to U.S. roadways and would have similarly provided U.S. carriers access to operate for the first time within Mexico, and prevents the United States from fulfilling a pending commitment as part of NAFTA.
“The BTA is very disappointed that a majority of Senators chose to support an amendment backed by fear and not the facts surrounding US-DOT’s actions to-date to ensure for the safety of the American public in conducting this pilot,” stated Maria Luisa O’Connell, President of the Border Trade Alliance, “The BTA appreciates the efforts of Senators Cornyn and Kyl and the twenty-one other Senators who opposed this amendment.”
As an alternative to the Dorgan amendment, Senator Cornyn (R-TX) offered an amendment requiring every truck entering the United States as part of the demonstration program to comply with the same stringent safety standards as U.S. trucks. Under the Cornyn amendment, which ultimately was not agreed to by the Senate, Mexican trucks participating in the program would have had to verify their compliance at three-month intervals.
Senators Allard (R-CO), Bennett (R-UT), Bond (R-MO), Bunning (R-KY), Burr (R-NC), Cochran (R-MS), Cornyn, DeMint (R-SC), Domenici (R-NM), Grassley (R-IA), Gregg (R-NH), Hagel (R-NE), Hutchison (R-TX), Kyl (R-AZ), Lieberman (I-CT), Lott (R-MS), Lugar (R-IN), Martinez (R-FL), McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Stevens (R-AK), Sununu (R-NH), and Vitter (R-LA) opposed the Dorgan amendment.
“Policy-makers need to make well-informed decisions and consider the impact they have on our border communities,” stated Mayor Richard F. Cortez of McAllen, Texas, “DOT’s pilot program would not only have increased economic activity but would have also reduced congestion and its associated impacts here in McAllen.”
“DOT’s pilot program would have increased the efficiency of trade conducted at our border with Mexico providing well-needed relief to our already over-burdened infrastructure,” stated Stephanie Caviness, President of the Foreign Trade Association in El Paso, Texas.
The BTA will continue to advocate for the United States to uphold its commitments under free trade agreements. In addition, the BTA will continue support efforts to improve conditions for secure commerce, trade and travel at our international borders.
1 Comment
Why is the US even allowing Mexico to travel here. Our highways are already being torn up by our own large trucks. What type of inspection will the drivers and their cargo have to go through? What are they transporting into the US? With the feelings that are so high on the immigration situation I don’t see why we should even think of letting the Mexican drivers in. I’m sure there will be some kind of illegal transporting of humans. I am appalled that such a law was even considered. How was the agreement before this one was put into print.
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