U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) says he intends to attach an amendment to the Department of Transportation Appropriations bill, that contains legislative language identical to an amendment approved last month by the U.S. House that bars Mexican trucks from entering the U.S. and hauling freight any further than the 20 miles now allowed.

If the Senate approves the amendment, which Dorgan said he expects it will, the action would make it highly unlikely that anyone would be able to remove the prohibition in a conference committee since legislative rules say identical language in House and Senate versions of bills cannot be altered by a conference committee.

"We have a real opportunity to decide this issue and close the book on it," Dorgan said. "I intend to do all I can to see that we do."

In May, Dorgan and Senator Harry Reid (D-ND) introduced legislation to bar Mexican transport trucks from entering the United States, until their safety can be assured. They cited the high rate at which both trucks and drivers from Mexico fail to meet U.S. safety standards and the fact that even the U.S. Transportation Department admits it lacks facilities, equipment and personnel to assure the safety of Mexican trucks operating in the United States. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Martin Sabo (D-MN) adopted by the House on June 26 flat out bars the trucks from operating here beyond the 20 mile zone, by blocking the use of any tax dollars to issue safety permits required for truck operations in the United States.

The Clinton administration barred Mexican trucks from operating beyond 20 miles into the United States because of safety concerns. The Bush administration wants to drop the limit on how far Mexican trucks can travel into the U.S. and allow them to freely transport freight throughout the nation.

"Only about one percent of Mexican trucks entering the U.S. are inspected by the U.S. at the border, but 36 percent of those that are inspected are turned back for serious safety violations," Dorgan said.

"Mexico does not have the same safety standards as the U.S. for either vehicles, equipment, or drivers," Dorgan said, "and the failure rate at safety inspection stations along the border is alarming. The legislation I introduced originally is a good way to protect Americans, but the approach taken by the House works just as well. I intend to offer it in the Senate. If we win that vote, as I think we will, those who want to let unsafe trucks and drivers from Mexico operate in our country will find it very difficult to use legislative maneuvers in a House-Senate conference committee, to undo what the House has done."

The Senate appropriations measure is now working its way through the committee process. OOIDA is urging truckers to contact committee members and urge them to express their support. For a list of committee members and phone numbers, CLICK HERE.