The top leaders of the House and Senate both made remarks Thursday relative to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“Let me just say … we are moving ahead on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA),” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters as she concluded a news conference. “Again, we are hoping to be on a continued path to yes,” Pelosi added. Other House Democrats said the newly launched impeachment inquiry will not affect their work with the Trump administration to negotiate changes to the deal in four core areas: labor, environment, access to medicines and enforcement.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told Democrats that “the time for excuses is over.” In a speech on the Senate floor, McConnell said Democrats’ continued objections amount to little more than “heel-dragging,” and suggested a chief reason for the pact’s delay is the House’s impeachment inquiry and related investigations.
“Canada, Mexico and millions of Americans are waiting for Speaker Pelosi to remember that serving the public interest requires more than just picking fights with the president,” McConnell said. “It actually entails addressing the people’s business.”
Meanwhile, the House Democrats USMCA working group will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today. The group will reportedly tell Lighthizer its responses to proposals USTR sent over earlier this month.
Welcome
