Greetings,

We need your help! Today the U.S. House of Representatives will consider H.R. 6630, a bill that would prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from allowing unsafe Mexican trucks to cross beyond the borders of the currently permitted commercial zone unless Congress authorizes it. This important piece of legislation would put a stop to the dangerous Mexican truck pilot program that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been operating despite Congress already passing a law last year that made it illegal to do so.

A clear message needs to be sent to the DOT that they are not above the law and that allowing Mexican trucks and drivers onto our nation's highways that are not held to the same safety standards as our own trucks and drivers is completely unacceptable. The passage of H.R. 6630 will send that message. Please take the time to send an e-mail to your representative today and urge him or her to vote for H.R. 6630.

Subject: Put a Stop to Unsafe Mexican Trucks

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

I am writing to urge you to vote YES on H.R. 6630, the bill that would prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from allowing Mexican motor carriers to operate beyond the currently permitted commercial zones unless Congress has expressly authorized it.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) continues to operate the dangerous Mexican truck pilot program despite Congress passing a law last year to cut off funding for it. With the recent announcement of its proposal to extend the program for two more years, the DOT continues to defy the will of Congress and put the safety of American motorists at risk.

Mexican trucks and drivers are not being held to the same safety standards that we require of our own trucks and drivers. Despite trying for thirteen years, the DOT has not been able to certify a lab for specimen testing in Mexico, and Mexican drivers are still not receiving proper drug and alcohol testing. Also, questions still remain about the accuracy of the Mexican driver violations database. Last year, the DOT Inspector General reported that 40,000 violations occurring in Texas had not been entered, and New Mexico had not recorded any Mexican driver violations for the two previous years.

In addition, there is little to no enforcement of hours-of-service regulations in Mexico, with the absence of a log book remaining one of the most frequently cited violations for Mexican drivers operating in the currently permitted commercial zones. Finally, the fact that Trinity Enterprises, one of the carriers approved to participate in the program, has had over 1200 violations occurring in the commercial zones, or about 100 per truck, seriously calls into question the safety records of other carriers that have been approved.

A stop must be put once and for all to this reckless program, and H.R. 6630 will do just that. The bill would also require the DOT Inspector General, an independent review panel, and the Secretary of Transportation to submit reports relating to the program that would give Congress a better understanding of the safety risks involved with letting these trucks and drivers onto our nation's highways.

I urge you again to put the safety of the American public first and vote YES on H.R. 6630!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]