Senate Votes Against Mexican Trucks Program
Less than a week after the first Mexican trucks were allowed by the Transportation Department past a border zone, the Senate voted on Tuesday to ban Mexican trucks from U.S. roadways, the Associated Press reported.
By a 74-24 vote, the Senate approved a proposal by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) prohibiting the DOT from spending money on its pilot program under the North American Free Trade Agreement to give Mexican trucks greater access to U.S. highways, AP said.
The measure was part of a $106 billion transportation spending bill that the Senate may vote this week, AP reported.
In July, the House approved a similar provision as part of its version of the transportation spending bill, voting 411-3 against the plan.(Click here for previous coverage.)
John Hill, head of DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the vote was in favor “protectionism,” AP reported.
But Teamsters president Jim Hoffa, whose union has sued to stop the trucks, applauded the vote, AP reported.
(Click here for previous coverage.)
