House Democrats Say USMCA Could Still Make It Through Congress This Fall

According to Politico’s “Morning Trade,” even though the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has not yet sent text to Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives showing how the Trump administration will address the party’s concerns about the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), there is still “a window of opportunity” in the fall for the agreement to pass.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) told reporters, “There has to be a lot of quick action here in early September with papers being exchanged between us and USTR in order to narrow the issues and focus on the language of what needs to be fixed,” but he also reassured listeners that, despite the work, there are “a lot of people are working on” this issue right now.

Additionally Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who sits on the working group that has been tasked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with negotiating changes with the USTR, explained how quickly the deal moves forward is dependent on the administration’s willingness to make changes. While Rep. DeLauro acknowledged Congress’ work could “seep into” 2020, she also acknowledged, “The renegotiation process is not over yet” and said she is “committed to continuing work with USTR Lighthizer to make this agreement one that will benefit American workers and consumers.”

As Democrats and the Trump administration seek to work out an agreement, the National Association of Manufacturers is gathering signatures on a letter to send to members of Congress asking them to support the USMCA. Click here to read and sign the letter. Signatures are due no later than September 20, 2019.