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Past Time to Pass Usmca

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 20, 2019
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, it is time. Actually, it is past time. It is past time for Congress to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Today, I am pleased to join with my colleague and friend, Senator Steve Daines, to draw attention to the USMCA's importance to Montana.

President Trump and his trade negotiators have done a great job negotiating this trade deal. USMCA will secure open access to markets in Mexico and Canada, markets critical to Montana farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses.

USMCA will bring over $68 billion in new economic growth. USMCA will create 176,000 new American jobs. USMCA helps family farmers and ranchers, which is why 1,000 ag groups from across the country have endorsed it. USMCA increases agricultural exports by $2 billion a year. USMCA supports American workers.

Speaker, USMCA is a win for Montana and America. But here we are, 355 days, almost a full year, since President Trump signed USMCA, and the deal has gone nowhere in the House.

So, what is the holdup? The Speaker has stalled since the deal was announced. She objected to it. Those objections were addressed, yet here we are.

The Speaker says she is on a path to yes on USMCA. A path to yes, however, isn't a yes. Farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and business owners deserve certainty, not just a path to yes and more delays.

Unfortunately, just yesterday, Politico reported USMCA faces another delay because of House leadership--another delay. The House has 13 days left this year, 13 days to get this deal done. It is up to Congress to act.

Speaker, the needless delays must end. The Trump administration has done its job and negotiated an agreement that works for Montana and our country. It is time for Congress to do its job.

I urge House leaders to give farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and business owners the certainty they need. I urge House leaders to move forward with USMCA to create jobs, increase paychecks, and grow our economy.

Let's consider USMCA. Let's vote on USMCA. Let's ratify USMCA.

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