DEMOCRATS: U.S. Senate considers blocking Mexican trucks
The U.S. Senate was to vote Tuesday whether to end funding for a much-criticized program allowing Mexican trucks to travel beyond commercial zones at the border of the two countries.The program allows up to 100 Mexican carriers to send trucks on U.S. roadways for delivery and pickup of cargo. None can carry hazardous material or haul cargo between U.S. points. The pilot program has drawn protests by American unions and some lawmakers on ground that not enough has been done to ensure that they are safe. Supporters dispute that contention and say the program is required under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The proposed funding halt, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan is part of a larger bill paying for transportation and housing programs likely to get Senate approval later in the week.
The House of Representatives approved a similar provision in July as part of its version of the spending bill.
The Department of Transportation granted a single Mexican carrier, Transportes Olympic, access to U.S. roads last week after a more than decade-long dispute over a NAFTA provision opening up the roadways to trucks from Mexico and Canada beginning in 1995.
While Canadian trucks were granted access to U.S. roads, Mexican trucks' entry to the U.S. has been stalled for years by opponents.
One of the Mexican carrier's trucks crossed the border in Laredo last week and delivered its cargo in North Carolina on Monday.
The truck was to pick up steel in Decatur, Alabama, and cross back into Mexico possibly by the end of the week, said Jose Gil, Transportes Olympic traffic manager. The steel will be resold in Mexico, he said.
Gil said his company chose a local, bilingual driver, who has not had an accident or citation. "He's very honest and responsible," Gil said.
The company will assess its first truck's trip before sending other trucks, he said.
A message left with Stagecoach Cartage & Distribution Inc. of El Paso, Texas, which has been granted access to Mexico's roads, was not immediately returned.
The proposed funding halt, sponsored by Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan is part of a larger bill paying for transportation and housing programs likely to get Senate approval later in the week.
The House of Representatives approved a similar provision in July as part of its version of the spending bill.
The Department of Transportation granted a single Mexican carrier, Transportes Olympic, access to U.S. roads last week after a more than decade-long dispute over a NAFTA provision opening up the roadways to trucks from Mexico and Canada beginning in 1995.
While Canadian trucks were granted access to U.S. roads, Mexican trucks' entry to the U.S. has been stalled for years by opponents.
One of the Mexican carrier's trucks crossed the border in Laredo last week and delivered its cargo in North Carolina on Monday.
The truck was to pick up steel in Decatur, Alabama, and cross back into Mexico possibly by the end of the week, said Jose Gil, Transportes Olympic traffic manager. The steel will be resold in Mexico, he said.
Gil said his company chose a local, bilingual driver, who has not had an accident or citation. "He's very honest and responsible," Gil said.
The company will assess its first truck's trip before sending other trucks, he said.
A message left with Stagecoach Cartage & Distribution Inc. of El Paso, Texas, which has been granted access to Mexico's roads, was not immediately returned.
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