"This decision is dangerous and it threatens jobs here in Iowa," said Congressman Braley. "When we have so many hard-working Americans out of a job, I can't support a decision that puts Mexican workers and truckers before American trucking companies. I'm also deeply concerned that this proposal puts American families at risk. Mexico's safety standards are not on par with ours, and letting tens of thousands of these trucks onto our highways poses a serious threat to everyone traveling on our roads. I drove a truck myself and I know just how dangerous these vehicles can be if they're not operated properly."
Yesterday, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a deal to allow Mexican long-haul truck operators to operate in the United States. This proposal threatens American truck driver and warehouse worker jobs - especially during the recession - and with increased drug cartel violence along the Mexican border, this proposal also threatens to give cartels an alternate way of getting their products across the border. In fact, there is little doubt that cartels would try to infiltrate the trucking system to transport drugs and weapons.
"I strongly urge the President to reject allowing Mexican trucks on American roads," said Rep. Braley.
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