Truck Driving Business Center of Attention in House
Tough Times Ahead For American Truckers If The Bill Goes Through 
The House overwhelmingly passed a bill yesterday that would delay and make substantial changes to a Bush administration program to test the ability of Mexican truck drivers to operate safely in the United States. The legislation sponsored by Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., won approval 411-3 in the House but faces uncertain prospects in the Senate. The administration plans to open the border to unlimited travel by Mexican trucks under a one-year demonstration project that could start as early as July 15. The bill also requires Mexican truck drivers to be able to read and speak English in one of several provisions authored by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., charged that unlike in the United States, Mexico does not restrict the number of hours in a day that truck drivers can operate. Many Mexican drivers use illegal drugs to stay awake, he said. Melissa DeLaney, a spokeswoman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said she was unaware of the specifics of Mexican law. She also stated drug and alcohol tests for Mexican drivers would be conducted at certified labs in the United States.
What’s the Mexican gov’t have to say about all of this? “While the legislative process has yet to conclude, the decision of the House today raises questions about the commitment of most of its members to comply with international trade obligations,” the Mexican Embassy said in a statement. The border was supposed to be opened to truck traffic starting in 1995 as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed by the United States, Mexico and Canada.And what about America truck drivers? “If we allow the truckers to cross, they will be in this country and able to take jobs away from our local companies, especially small trucking companies,” Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego said. “That puts all our guys out of business if the administration proposal is allowed to go through.” DeFazio charged that NAFTA proponents are pushing for open borders because they want to save money by shipping goods from China directly to Mexico, where they would be transported by Mexican trucks into the United States. Administration officials contend the elimination of trade barriers promotes efficiency, resulting in lower costs and increased prosperity for both Mexico and the United States. Yeah right! Somewhere, plenty of pockets are filling up too fast.
