Senator makes bid to block Bush on Mexican trucks

WASHINGTON, Sep 11 (Reuters) Congress could act quickly to block a new Bush administration pilot program allowing long haul Mexican trucks to operate anywhere in the United States, a US senator said.

''My hope is the Senate will do as the House has done and we will put the brakes on the pilot program,'' Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, told reporters yesterday.

Dorgan proposed an amendment denying funding for the one-year program, which was begun late last week.

He told reporters there were still too many unanswered questions about whether Mexican truck safety rules were as stringent as those in the United States.

But John Hill, administrator of the Transportation Department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said Mexican trucks and drivers have to meet safety standards ''that in many respects are higher than the standards for their US counterparts.'' ''It is unfortunate that some in the Senate would seek to deprive US consumers of the significant savings, and US truck drivers of the significant new opportunities, that the cross-border trucking demonstration project is generating,'' Hill said.

The Senate is expected to vote today on Dorgan's amendment.

The House of Representatives passed similar legislation overwhelmingly in July.

During a brief Senate floor debate yesterday, Sen. Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, expressed concerned about the safety of the program and urged colleagues to approve the amendment.

''We do not want to impede legitimate commerce but safety is a very vital factor and there are good reasons to insist on safety and verification before we permit this pilot program,'' Specter said.

The United States and Mexico agreed as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement 13 years ago to permit expanded cross-border trucking. However, for the past six years, the Bush administration has been fighting with opponents in Congress over implementing the provision.

REST RULES AND INSURANCE Opponents say Mexican drivers do not have the same rest rules as US truckers and could cross the border already fatigued. They are also concerned about licensing, insurance and drug testing.

The Teamsters Union, fearful of job losses among drivers and related personnel, has played an active role in challenging the administration in court and in Congress.

The administration plans to gradually allow Mexican trucking companies greater access to US highways, topping out at 100 companies and about 500 trucks at the conclusion of the pilot program.

Currently, Mexican trucks must transfer their goods at areas just inside US border crossings. US trucking companies, until now, have not been allowed to operate in Mexico.

The pilot program would be reevaluated toward the end of 2008 but US officials expressed confidence in the safety protocols that Mexican carriers will have to follow.

Dorgan accused the Bush administration of rushing to implement the pilot program, just one hour after the Transportation Department inspector general's office issued a report required by Congress.

That report revealed too little is known about issues such as the driving records of Mexican truck drivers and whether they are adequately insured, Specter said.

REUTERS TB RN0557