John Cornyn: “I wish my distinguished colleagues from North Dakota and Ohio would take ``yes'' for an answer. I agree with them.…”

“I wish my distinguished colleagues from North Dakota and Ohio would take ``yes'' for an answer. I agree with them. Public safety is No. 1. That is what my amendment guarantees. It guarantees inspections of trucks whether they come from Mexico or domestic American trucks or whether they come from Canada. The U.S. Federal inspectors perform and Mexican trucking companies must pass a preauthorization safety audit conducted in Mexico by Americans prior to granting authority to operate beyond the U.S. border commercial zones. This audit includes inspection of vehicles the company intends to use in long-haul operations in the U.S. and a thorough inspection of the company's records to ensure compliance with Federal safety regulations. Vehicles not inspected cannot be used for long-haul operations in the United States. Every inspector reviews Federal safety regulations with the carrier, including those governing driver hours of service, to ensure the carrier is knowledgeable of and comprehends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations. This is not about safety, because we all agree that is nonnegotiable, and my amendment protects public safety. So what is it about? It is apparently about protectionism; it is apparently about fear of competition in the marketplace. It is fear of free trade, which, to my way of looking at things, provides new markets to American producers, new opportunities, more revenue, and creates more jobs right here at home.”