WASHINGTON, D.C. – Speaking today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) strongly criticized recent actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT announced last Friday its plans to launch a cross-border pilot program for Mexican trucks, in spite of repeated Congressional action to block the program.

Below is the text of Boyda’s remarks as prepared for delivery. 

“Madam Speaker, I rise today dismayed by the Department of Transportation's decision to rush dangerous Mexican trucks onto American roads.

“In the last month, this House has voted twice to impose severe restraints on any cross-border trucking program. Three weeks ago, we passed my Safe American Roads Act by an overwhelming, bipartisan, 411-3 margin. The supplemental appropriations bill included similar language; it passed both houses and was signed into law by the president.

“But although we have twice loudly and unambiguously rebuked the Department of Transportation, they're simply ignoring the American people. On Friday they announced plans to launch a cross-border pilot program anyway, in clear violation of the will of the American people.

“Their actions are deceptive and intolerable. The People's House cannot be sidestepped through bureaucratic trickery. I urge the DOT to put the brakes on this profoundly undemocratic course of action.

“The safety of our highways is at stake.”