[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 144 (Thursday, October 25, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S11097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, on August 1, the Senate passed it's 
version of H.R. 2299, the fiscal year 2002 Department of Transportation 
Appropriations Act. The Senate has not yet appointed conferees on this 
bill, which provides vitally needed funding for aviation, the Coast 
Guard, highways and rail programs.
  A key issue of contention in that bill has been the standards and 
practices governing highway truck movement between our Nation and 
Mexico, under the provisions of the North American Free Trade 
Agreement.
  Recently, discussion with the White House have produced a framework 
for compromise which I believe responds to the concerns for safety and 
equity voiced by many in the Senate and the other body, and I intend to 
support this compromise in the conference. It is my hope that the 
conferees on the bill will proceed along the lines of this proposal to 
strike a final agreement which will secure support in the Senate, and 
the signature of the President.

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