TXTA Statement on enhanced safety inspections at the border

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION—April 13, 2022
TXTA Contact: Kimberly Leggett
kimberly@texastrucking.com

AUSTIN—Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) President & CEO John D. Esparza released the following statement on Governor Greg Abbott’s initiative to enhance safety inspections for trucks entering Texas through Mexico: 

“TXTA is a strong advocate of enforcement and industry safety at the Texas border and across the nation and supports the Governor in his focus. Unfortunately, this new initiative duplicates existing screening efforts and leads to significant congestion, delaying the products Americans rely on from our largest trading partner, Mexico. The current situation on the border simply cannot be sustained and we urge President Joe Biden and Governor Greg Abbott to come together before our economy endures further irreparable damage. 

Motor carriers who are constantly subject to multiple layers of scrutiny at the border have a higher level of compliance and raise the compliance average for the entire state of Texas. Therefore, it is an unfortunate reality that these new and additional layers of screening efforts at the border yield little impact on the state’s highest motor carrier safety risks, while adding significant congestion to the border commerce. The supply chain challenges caused by COVID and other global matters are now worsened by the Texas-Federal standoff. 

The result is understandable frustration around the country for the products that make Mexico a valued partner and helps keep Texas in the healthy position of the ninth largest economy in the world and growing.

As delays increase at the border, deliveries are postponed or cancelled, perishable goods spoil, and grocery and retail store shelves begin to empty. Exports in Texas also await empty trucks on the Mexican side of the border and the lost revenue due to these delays will be felt by consumers as the price of goods increase across the country. 

We stand committed to assist Governor Abbott in pursuit of a viable solution that secures the border and enhances highway safety, while not disrupting the already tenuous supply chain with redundant security screenings.”
 

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