House passes bill banning Mexican truck pilot — again

WASHINGTON — It wouldn’t be surprising if some Mexican truckers’ heads are spinning right about now.

For years Mexican carriers waited for approval to cross the border into the U.S. beyond a 20-mile restriction zone. After a handful finally got the green light from a U.S. court earlier this summer, it looks as if opponents and protectionist groups have succeeded in convincing the House of Representatives to pass a transportation spending bill that includes a ban on funding the Bush administration’s cross-border truck program.

The Senate is expected this week to pass the same bill, known as Transportation-HUD or THUD. President Bush has said he will veto the bill, however.

For now, though, it seems as if the select Mexican truckers will continue operating under the pilot program.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said he fully expected the funding ban to win final passage because of its overwhelming support from Congress and the public.

“Letting trucks from Mexico drive everywhere in America is unpopular for a good reason: it’s dangerous and illegal,” Hoffa said. “Our members will urge their representatives to override the veto, and we will continue our lawsuit to prevent the program from starting up again.”

The Teamsters union is suing to block the program in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. The union submitted its arguments to the court in October and the government has until Monday to reply. The case is expected to be heard in February.

Earlier this year, the Teamsters sought unsuccessfully to obtain an emergency injunction blocking the program before it began.