Protecting Our Borders and Our Working Families

Press Release

Protecting Our Borders and Our Working Families

Washington, Oct 1 - Months after President Bush failed in his efforts to reform immigration laws, he still hasn't gotten the message. Now, the Bush administration is turning a blind eye to the security of our border, the safety of our highways, and the economic well-being of our working families by supporting a program that would allow Mexican truck drivers to operate in the United States.

Last month, with the backing of the President and his administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) formally began a pilot program allowing Mexican trucking companies to operate long-haul routes in the United States. The program began two days after a report from the DOT Inspector General was released, outlining serious border security and safety concerns with the program.

Mexican trucking companies are not required to follow the same strict safety standards as American truckers. Under the program, 100 Mexican trucking companies operating up to 1,000 trucks have free and open access to the U.S. without any adequate procedures to verify drivers' identity, their immigration status, or their length of stay in the US. Furthermore, allowing Mexican drivers to operate in the US jeopardizes the jobs of American long-haul truck drivers.

It frustrates me that the President is willing to jeopardize public safety and put American jobs at risk.

As Vice-Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I'm working with members in both chambers of Congress to put an end to the Mexican trucking pilot program for good. Already, the House and the Senate have overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation to severely limit and end the program. I am optimistic that the President will get the message.

My job in Congress is to stand up for what is in the best interest of eastern Iowans. That's why I'm working against this program: to protect Iowa jobs and the safety of our highways.

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