WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced it will continue a pilot program to allow trucks from Mexico to cross the border into the United States.

Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) issued this statement in response to today’s announcement:

“This is of serious concern. We have stringent licensing procedures for all American drivers – especially the operators of heavy commercial trucks. There are rigorous testing procedures for truck drivers, controls on hours worked, prohibitions on drug abuse, and safety standards for vehicles. Because of these standards, America has one of the safest commercial trucking fleets in the world. Sadly, Mexico does not share the same level of standards. Last year, I introduced the Safe American Roads Act to ensure American standards of excellence would continue to be met. The legislation required that 22 specific, stringent safety criteria must be met before trucks from Mexico would be allowed on U.S highways. The language from my bill won overwhelming Congressional approval.

Despite the resounding support for my legislation, the Administration continued with the pilot program and in September 2007, a hundred Mexican trucking companies began to carry cargo far beyond the usual border zones – into towns like Pittsburg, Manhattan, Topeka, and Leavenworth. I was dismayed then that such a decisive vote by Congress would go unheeded by the executive branch.

I am equally dismayed the FMCSA would extend the program by two years. Not only is there a valid concern for the safety of American motorists; the program also serves to perpetuate an increased flow of illegal drugs and substances into the United States. Almost all cocaine and marijuana illegally entering our country comes through Mexico – and less than two percent of all cargo entering the United States is currently inspected.

I will continue to fight against allowing dangerous Mexican trucks on American highways.”