Despite Overwhelming Odds, Democrats Pushing Toward USMCA “Yes”

(AUSTIN, TX) Of the 235 Democrats in the House of Representatives today, 135 have never voted on a trade agreement. Of the remaining 100, less than 50 percent have voted in favor of a trade deal. With the odds appearing to be overwhelming against the passage of the USMCA, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) formed a Democratic workgroup to find “a path to yes”. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and of the working group and told attendees at the recent Southwest Council of Agribusiness meeting that there are four components that the majority need to see. Issues dealing with labor, environment, medicine, and enforcement are keys to building a coalition to approve an agreement that Mexico has already ratified. He said that the group of eight received their “red-line” proposal from U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and are submitting their counter-proposal back to USTR this week. “We’re getting a deal that works for all sectors” Gomex explained. “It’s been a great start; we’re still not finished but we’re going to get there.” Once an agreement is finalized between the group and Lighthizer, then the work begins on writing an implementing bill. That’s when the clock really starts ticking for Congressional approval.