United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Neal for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5430.

Last year, Virginia exported $4.3 billion worth of goods to Canada and Mexico. One out of six Virginia manufacturers exports to these two countries, and of these firms, 64 percent are small- or medium-sized businesses.

These businesses are the backbone of our economy, and today they are looking to Congress to take this vital step towards securing long-term trade stability.

Earlier this month, I made that point clear at a meeting with the vice president. During our discussion, I underscored the USMCA's potential to stimulate growth across the Seventh District of Virginia.

For central Virginia businesses, today's vote is a welcome step forward towards modernizing NAFTA and staying competitive in the 21st century.

For Virginia's crop and livestock producers, today's vote means protecting and expanding relationships with critical buyers in Canada and Mexico.

And for central Virginia's workers, today's vote carries with it a commitment from our trading partners to live up to their labor commitments.

I know that central Virginia's economy and the hardworking men and women who spur it forward have waited patiently for this day to arrive.

Madam Speaker, I thank everyone for their work on this: Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, Ambassador Lighthizer, and my colleagues on the working group.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support USMCA.

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