• Steelworkers argue NAFTA not legal

    A lawsuit filed last week by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) has the potential to invalidate NAFTA. That could make the hotly contested issue of opening the U.S. border to Mexican trucks a moot point. USWA filed a Certiorari petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on July 6, challenging the constitutionality of NAFTA. Based on a federal lawsuit it originally filed in July 1998, USWA charges
    July 9, 2001
    A lawsuit filed last week by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) has the potential to invalidate NAFTA. That could make the hotly contested issue of opening the U.S. border to Mexican trucks a moot point.

    USWA filed a Certiorari petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on July 6, challenging the constitutionality of NAFTA. Based on a federal lawsuit it originally filed in July 1998, USWA charges NAFTA is unconstitutional because it is by definition a treaty and therefore required a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate before being implemented.

    NAFTA was approved by simple majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate in 1993 at the urging of President Clinton. The Senate approved NAFTA by a vote of 61 to 38, short of the two-thirds margin needed that USWA claims is necessary for a treaty.

    In February, the Federal Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that USWA’s challenge raised a “political question” beyond its jurisdiction, which prompted the filing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

    About the Author

    Sean Kilcarr

    Editor in Chief

    Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

     

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

    Sign up for our free eNewsletters

    Latest from News

    ID 119046131 © Jonathan Weiss | Dreamstime.com
    English language proficiency support
    A FleetOwner survey illustrates how industry readers view the government renewed English language proficiency enforcement. Respondents overwhelmingly support ELP in out-of-service...
    Daimler Truck
    Daimler and Volvo's Coretura leadership
    Two of the largest global truck OEMs have established a joint venture to develop one software-defined vehicle platform, bringing standardization to the industry. While the company...
    Nissan
    Lofaro succeeds Judy Wheeler, who is retiring after nearly 15 years of dedicated service to the brand.
    Major leadership changes are happening for Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks North America, and Nissan Americas.