Robert Torricelli: “I rise in opposition to efforts by Senator Gramm and Senator McCain to strike the Murray language regarding access by…”

“I rise in opposition to efforts by Senator Gramm and Senator McCain to strike the Murray language regarding access by Mexican motor carriers to United States highways. In fact, while I commend Senator Murray for her efforts to reach compromise with regard to access to United States highways by Mexican truck companies--I am indeed even opposed to her compromise--I believe that any compromise is going to result in danger to American motorists and believe the better course is for the Senate to follow the leadership of the House of Representatives and ban these trucks unless and until we are certain that American motorists can be safe. Senator Dorgan and I have prepared such an amendment and are considering offering it. Obviously, that can only be done if, indeed, we begin by defeating Senator McCain's efforts. While serving in the House of Representatives, I opposed the NAFTA treaty. I believed then, as I believe now, that for all of the advantages of integrating the economies of North America, NAFTA was a missed opportunity. It was a missed opportunity to establish regulatory environmental and labor requirements that would protect both our natural environment and also our human resources. Now we are about to make the same mistake again at an enormous price.”