The omnibus budget bill in the U.S. House introduced Monday would put a halt to the Department of Transportation's controversial cross-border Mexican truck pilot program.


Section 136 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill's Transportation Title states, "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be used, directly or indirectly, to establish, implement, continue, promote, or in any way permit a cross-border motor carrier demonstration program to allow Mexican-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond the commercial zones along the international border between the United States and Mexico."

Though Congress tried down the Bush administration's pilot program to open the border in the 2008 appropriations, the Bush administration found a loophole in language that prohibited the "establishment" of a program, saying since the program was already established, there was no ban on continuing it. And last year, the DOT announced it will extend the program for another two years.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa applauded the House Democratic leadership for including the ban.

"Shutting down the border is the right thing to do," Hoffa said. "There's no guarantee that trucks or drivers from Mexico are safe. Until there is, dangerous Mexican trucks should not be allowed to drive freely on our highways."