NEW mex cross border program call to action

Jack_Berry · May 28, 2009

this just in from ooida

**** URGENT ****
Please call your lawmakers in Washington, DC today!
Without disclosing their plans for a new cross-border trucking program to the American public, the U.S. DOT has started lobbying Congress to open U.S. highways to Mexico-domiciled trucks and truck drivers. Apparently this time they are not planning a temporary pilot program, but rather are seeking to permanently open the border.
The DOT is being supported by the same cast of corporate characters who have been pushing for opening the border for years as well as agricultural folks who fear they will be hurt by tariffs imposed on their exports to Mexico.
Some U.S. lawmakers who have previously opposed opening our highways to Mexican truckers are starting to buckle under the pressure of those groups and the DOT. Those Congressmen and Senators are being asked to sign letters committing their support for a new cross-border trucking program with Mexico.
Please call your lawmakers TODAY!
While you have to contend with the burdens of constantly increasing safety, security or environmental regulations, Mexico-domiciled trucking companies and truck drivers simply do not have to deal with those regulations or the costs associated with them. Opening U.S. highways to Mexican truckers at this time is not only unfair to you, it would threaten the safety of our highways and the security of our nation.
To contact your 2 Senators and your Representative in the House, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and provide the operator with your home zip code. The operator will connect you with the offices of your elected representatives.
You are also welcome to call OOIDA at (800) 444-5791. Association staff will be happy to help put you in touch with your elected officials in Washington.

PLEASE call your 2 Senators and your Representative in the U.S. House TODAY!
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If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call the Association at 1-800-444-5791.

touble · May 28, 2009

OK! I have made the calls, plus email follow-up. I hope other Drivers understand the importants of what this will mean, should the borders be open to Mexican trucks. If we cant stand together on this one, what will it take?

Jack_Berry · Jun 5, 2009

its almost like he responded personally.........

Dear Mr. Berry,
Thank you for contacting me regarding a Bush administration Department of Transportation (DOT) program allowing Mexican trucks access to U.S. highways. I opposed this program because it raises serious safety and environmental concerns, and could depress wages for American truckers.

On February 23, 2007, then-Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced a pilot program in which U.S. trucks will be permitted to make deliveries to Mexico while select Mexican trucks will be able to make deliveries past the 20-25 mile commercial zone that is currently in place along the Southwest border. Legislation that President Bush signed into law on May 25, 2007 (P.L. 110-28) mandated that the pilot program may not begin until U.S. trucks have similar access to Mexican highways and the DOT Inspector General prepares a report to Congress verifying that Mexican trucks comply with U.S. federal motor carrier safety laws.

During consideration of the fiscal year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill, I supported an amendment that would prohibit any funds from being used to develop and implement the cross-border trucking program. This amendment was agreed to and was included in the final bill, which was signed into law by President Bush on December 26, 2007 (P.L. 110-161). Despite this provision, the DOT argued that the amendment did not prevent it from continuing the pilot program. I am pleased that H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, included a provision preventing the DOT from using any funds for a cross-border trucking pilot program. H.R. 1105 was signed into law on March 11, 2009.

In response to the legislation stopping the program, Mexico announced its intent to take retaliatory actions by increasing tariffs on a variety of U.S. exports. According to a statement by White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, President Obama "has tasked the Department of Transportation to work with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of State, along with leaders in Congress and Mexican officials, to propose legislation creating a new trucking project that will meet the legitimate concerns of Congress and our NAFTA commitments." I will be sure to follow the progress of this issue.

Thank you again for contacting me. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

anyone else?

greg334 · Jun 5, 2009

My senator told me to learn spanish.

layoutshooter · Jun 5, 2009

Yeah Greg, that bunch we have in this state are a waste of time. Obama bums one and all.

greg334 · Jun 5, 2009

Well it really p*ssed me off when his staffer told me I should learn another language but what really got me was the little speech she gave on gitmo and the UP.

Jack_Berry · Jun 8, 2009

omg can you imagine the yuppers trying to speak spanish? it would be a travesty in 2 languages.

what does "ya hey dere" translate into?

ISLNANA · Jun 9, 2009

will be contacting my reps. today. sitting here in nogales az., seeing some of the trucks/drivers coming in from mexico makes me very nervous-i wonder how some of these trucks even make it across-let alone on any of our major interstates. very bad idea-not only the safety issues,but in my opinion we have lost enough jobs to south of the border!