OOIDA call to action

**LDB** · 09-08-2008, 03:41 PM

Here's something that should be important to all of us.

CALL-TO-ACTION - National

As you may recall, just before Congress adjourned for their annual August recess the House Transportation committee passed HR 6630, a bill that will require the immediate termination of the DOT's crossborder trucking pilot program with Mexico and revoke the DOT's ability to grant Mexico-domiciled carriers authority to operate beyond commercial zones without Congressional approval.

As you know, the DOT was supposed to conclude that pilot program after one year (on September 6), but decided to go back on its word and again defy Congress by extending the program for another two years.

Congress reconvenes today and HR6630 is scheduled to be voted on by the full House of Representatives tomorrow.

It will be brought up as a suspension bill. In other words, to hurry the bill through, the House will suspend normal procedural rules for the bill. The catch is that for the bill to pass, more than two-thirds of the lawmakers voting must vote for it.

Please contact your Congressman or Congresswoman TODAY to tell them to vote for HR 6630.

To contact your lawmaker in the House of Representatives, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home zip code and they will connect you with his or her office.

**LDB** · 09-09-2008, 12:55 PM

The latest on this horrible program.

The very powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce is now lobbying against HR6630 and threatening lawmakers with repercussions if they support the bill.

We only have ourselves to blame if this is defeated and the border is thrown open wider than it already is. If you haven't called your congressman yet, SHAME on you. With some it is a waste of time but that is no excuse for not making the effort and making the call. There is always the chance that even the worst of them will act in politician fashion and vote the way the wind blows.

**arkjarhead** · 09-09-2008, 01:06 PM

I just got off of the phone with my Congressman's office. I really didn't know what to say except that I feel Mexican trucks running all over the country side is unsafe. That's how I feel.

**redytrk** · 09-10-2008, 02:31 PM

BWe had a resounding victory in the House last night! Despite heavy threats from the White House and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, HR6630 passed with 395 lawmakers voting for it and only 18 voting against.
HR6630 will require the immediate termination of the DOT's crossborder trucking pilot program with Mexico and revoke the DOT's ability to grant Mexico-domiciled carriers authority to operate beyond commercial zones without Congressional approval.
During the debate regarding HR6630 on the House floor last night prior to the vote, half of the lawmakers who spoke mentioned that they have been hearing from truckers back home. That's yet another sign that your efforts, your phone calls really did make a big difference
You can find how your lawmaker voted on HR6630
here. A 'yea' vote is essentially a vote against the crossborder pilot program with Mexico and a 'nay' vote equates to support for that pilot program to continue.
If your lawmaker voted they way you wanted them to, please contact their office to say "Thank you".
To contact your lawmaker in the House of Representatives, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, provide the operator with your home zip code and they will connect you
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