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“FOREIGN TRUCK SAFETY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1770 on Aug. 5, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FOREIGN TRUCK SAFETY ACT
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HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Thursday, August 5, 1999
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in opposition to NAFTA's provisions to expand Mexican trucking privileges into the United States, and to introduce the Foreign Truck Safety Act, legislation that will mandate inspection of all foreign trucks at our southern border.
When we debated NAFTA in 1993, supporters claimed that NAFTA would not harm workers here or in Mexico, and would not harm the environment. Unfortunately, they were wrong. This treaty has sent thousand of good American jobs south of the border. It has also subjected that border to increased pollution of the air, water and land.
These are the most prominent promises broken by NAFTA. But we are about to add to the list. This Administration, under terms of NAFTA, is considering opening up all of America to Mexican trucks as of January 1, 2000.
What will the entrance of Mexican trucks mean for America? It will generate more pollution and increase the loss of good paying jobs. Most seriously, it will threaten the lives of qualified American drivers who will be forced to share the road with unqualified foreign drivers, who, as evidence proves, are driving unsafe, pollution-belching trucks.
U.S. inspectors, some operating just during the weekday hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, have found that almost 50% of inspected Mexican trucks have been ordered to undergo immediate service for safety problems. This is based on the results of the few inspections of foreign trucks already allowed to enter a commercial zone in the U.S. In reality, hordes of uninspected foreign trucks cross various border points after 5 pm, before 9 am, and on the weekends. Accordingly, the Department of Transportation's Inspector General has already concluded that the DOT does not have a consistent enforcement program to provide reasonable assurance of the safety of trucks entering the United States. How could this Administration suggest expanding border-trucking privileges when we cannot regulate the current privileges we offer?
Unsafe trucks are not only appearing in the four border-states. But as the map here shows, reports of dangerous trucks have come from at least 24 additional states. From Washington to Illinois to New York, the entire country is at risk. That is why I am introducing the Foreign Truck Safety Act, because it will require mandatory safety inspections on all trucks crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. As of January 2, 2000, the Foreign Truck Safety Act will authorize the border states to impose and collect fees on trucks to cover the cost of these inspections. By requiring all trucks to pass inspections before entering the United States, we can help to limit the risks these unsafe trucks pose to our citizens. This country entered into NAFTA in order to better the lives of our citizens. Without this legislation, we will simply put our citizens in more jeopardy.
I think people are more important than profit, and I am concerned about the thousands of unsafe Mexican trucks rumbling down our highways and byways. Average Americans are already fearful about driving next to large, safe U.S. trucks that pass inspections; imagine their fear when unsafe Mexican trucks hit our streets, roads, and superhighways.
Mr. Speaker, it is time to stand up for Americans. Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to work with me to pass the Foreign Truck Safety Act so that Americans will never be afraid to drive down Main Street, U.S.A.
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