Senate committee-passed bill may allow Mexican trucking program to move forward
News Date August 11, 2009
The Senate Appropriations Committee-approved FY2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act includes language that may allow the cross-border trucking pilot program to move ahead. The legislation includes a provision that will allow funds to be utilized for the program, as long as certain safety standards are adequately met. The report language also states: “The Committee notes that the Congress acted earlier this year to suspend the Mexican trucking pilot program because of serious and legitimate safety concerns, and expects that the administration will not commence another Mexican trucking pilot program until those concerns have been addressed and resolved. The Committee urges the administration to work expeditiously with the Mexican Government to establish a proposal to implement a cross-border trucking program that maintains the safety of our roads and highways and enhances the efficient movement of commerce.” After the Senate returns from their August recess, they are expected to continue to work on appropriations bills.
Earlier this year, Congress inserted a provision in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act that eliminated a pilot program that allowed qualified Mexican truckers to carry goods into the United States. Mexico views the action as a violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and has instituted import tariffs of up to 45 percent on nearly 100 U.S. export products, of which two-thirds are agricultural products. (Contact: Amy Mann and David Hickey)