[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FOREIGN TRUCK SAFETY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        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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