Congress Must Act on USMCA

While Washington is hallmarked today by unprecedented divisiveness, with House Democrats trying to take down a sitting President, Congress has the opportunity to rise above politics, work together, and deliver a decisive win for the American worker, end NAFTA, and pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).  

According to the United States Trade Representative, in 2018, the State of New York alone exported $20.3 billion to Canada and Mexico, including top exports such as metal products, machinery, computer and electronic products and more. The ability to rebalance and modernize trade between these vital trading partners will mean freer markets, fairer trade and robust economic growth in New York and all of North America.

In fact, according to the United States International Trade Commission, the ratification of USMCA would mean 176,000 new jobs and $68 billion in new economic growth. This boost is thanks to the inclusion of key provisions that level the playing field for American workers.

USMCA makes new enforceable labor standards a core part of the agreement, improving wages and labor conditions all across North America. Its innovative rules of origin will encourage more goods and material to be manufactured in the United States and ensure the benefits of USMCA are targeted at North American workers. 

In modernizing trade in a 21st century economy, the USMCA provides strong and effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights critical to driving innovation while supporting American jobs. 

Negotiations on this trade deal with Mexico and Canada were completed over a year ago, and has been given the green light by our neighbors to the north and south. Unfortunately, there’s only one major obstacle facing this important trade deal - Congress - but not in the way you might think. 

In this polarizing time, you may be surprised to learn that USMCA has wide bipartisan support - enough to pass Congress through both the House and Senate. However, in order to pass Congress, first there must be a vote. There are times when we have to uncomfortably confront and debate important issues where there is disagreement and that’s okay, but where we can find common ground we should be more than eager to do so.

Unfortunately, House Democratic leadership has been dragging their feet, refusing to put USMCA on the House floor for a vote and smothering potential further economic growth. 

Over the last two years, we’ve witnessed unprecedented economic growth all across our great nation. House leadership must immediately bring USMCA to a vote to ratify this vital trade deal, level the playing field for American companies and provide a well deserved victory for the American worker in New York and across the country. 

Congressman Lee Zeldin represents New York’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.