Reply #51: Senate votes to block Mexican trucks test

[BonnieJW]

Source: Yahoo News

Senate votes to block Mexican trucks test By Kevin Drawbaugh
Tue Sep 11, 9:51 PM ET



The U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to block funding for a Bush administration test program to let Mexican long-haul trucks operate in the United States under 1994's North American Free Trade Agreement.

One day after a fiery truck accident killed dozens in Mexico, the Senate approved an amendment to a transportation spending bill that would cut off funding for the test, which the administration authorized last week to run for one year.

The House of Representatives has passed a similar measure.

The White House on Tuesday threatened to veto the broad transportation bill because it would spend more money than President George W. Bush requested. It said the administration opposes any restrictions on the cross-border trucking program.

The administration said "it has the necessary safeguards in place to ensure a safe and secure program."

A tractor-trailer loaded with explosives blew up in a huge fireball on Monday after hitting a pickup truck in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. At least 29 people were killed.

Calling the accident a warning to proceed cautiously, North Dakota Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan led the effort to deny funding for the program.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070912/pl_nm/usa_mexico_trucks_senate_dc_3&printer=1;_ylt=Apt2vUridrmH0du8uskZWsIb.3QA

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I don't think this program is ready for prime time. Not unless we can be assured that the Mexican trucks and drivers are held to the same standards and laws as American truckers.