Sen. Murray Sets Hearing on Border Plan
Opponents Question Effect on Safety
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WASHINGTON — Advocacy groups and congressional leaders, citing safety concerns, questioned the Department of Transportation’s decision to allow Mexican trucks into the United States, and a key senator said she would hold a hearing on the issue.
On Feb. 23, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced a one-year pilot program to allow up to 100 Mexican fleets into the United States, saying that 22 conditions that Congress set in 2001 had been met. (Click here for previous coverage.)“Congress had to step in more than five years ago and stop the administration from opening the border until an adequate level of safety was achieved,” said Jacqueline Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. “Now, Congress needs to step in again. There is an urgent need for oversight hearings on safety and security issues before DOT rushes to open the southern border.”Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the DOT appropriations subcommittee that set the safety requirements in 2001, said she would hold a hearing later this week.For the full story, see the March 5 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
WASHINGTON — Advocacy groups and congressional leaders, citing safety concerns, questioned the Department of Transportation’s decision to allow Mexican trucks into the United States, and a key senator said she would hold a hearing on the issue.
On Feb. 23, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced a one-year pilot program to allow up to 100 Mexican fleets into the United States, saying that 22 conditions that Congress set in 2001 had been met. (Click here for previous coverage.)“Congress had to step in more than five years ago and stop the administration from opening the border until an adequate level of safety was achieved,” said Jacqueline Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. “Now, Congress needs to step in again. There is an urgent need for oversight hearings on safety and security issues before DOT rushes to open the southern border.”Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the DOT appropriations subcommittee that set the safety requirements in 2001, said she would hold a hearing later this week.For the full story, see the March 5 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.
