Agricultural News
President Trump Gets His USMCA Vote in the US House- and a Huge 385 to 41 Win One Day After Impeachment
Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:49:53 CST
The US Mexico Canada Agreement has passed with the greatest of ease by a final vote of 385 to 41 in the US House. With this vote, the US House has delivered President Donald Trump a major legislative victory just a day after his impeachment in the lower chamber.
Passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, moves Trump significantly closer to fulfilling his campaign promise of updating NAFTA with Mexico and Canada. It's also a win for Democrats, who wanted to demonstrate they could pass legislation that benefits American workers while they pursued impeachment.
The new deal still must go before the Senate for a straight up-or-down vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already said it will not be considered until after the Senate impeachment trial in January. But the USMCA is expected to pass with strong bipartisan support in the upper chamber.
Click here for the rollcall vote on the USMCA- all five Oklahoma members of the House voted in favor of the Trump Trade Deal.
Reaction has been pouring in:
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The Trump Administration's US Trade Representative's office quickly cheered- "House passage of the USMCA with such huge bipartisan support is a major milestone and shows just how much President Trump is successfully changing U.S. trade policy so it works for the benefit of American workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses. It will create tens of thousands of new jobs- many importantly in manufacturing- and increase export opportunities for our farmers, ranchers and businesses."
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Also happy with the vote was USDA Secertary Sonny Purdue. "I've long said that support for USMCA crosses political parties, the bipartisan passage of the agreement today is proof of that," Secretary Perdue said. "I am pleased the House finally brought this agreement to a vote and encourage quick passage in the Senate. President Trump delivered on his promise to replace NAFTA and USMCA is a huge success for America's farmers and ranchers. This agreement will unleash the bounty of America's agricultural harvest to two of our largest trading partners in the world and it is critical to the success of rural America."
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House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) released this statement following passage: "While today's vote was needlessly delayed by partisan politics, I am grateful that Speaker Pelosi finally brought USMCA up for a vote. Despite House Democrats' overtly-partisan obsession with impeachment, the President kept his eye on the ball and delivered a huge win for our country.
"USMCA is expected to result in an additional $2.2 billion in annual agricultural exports from the United States. Perhaps most importantly, today's vote provides a much-needed element of certainty for our farmers and ranchers who have suffered under a 6-year slump in the farm economy.
"Put simply, this historic agreement would not have happened without the leadership and determination of President Trump. He delivered on his promise, and the American people are better off for it."
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Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma's Third District (and former House Ag Committee Chair) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Representative Lucas voted in favor of passing the historic trade deal.
"It's been more than 25 years since our nation established a trade agreement with our North American neighbors. Today's vote in the House is a monumental step as America's farmers, manufactures, and Main Street businesses come one step closer to a 21st century trade deal.
President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer have worked tirelessly to deliver on their promise for a modernized deal that strengthens our trade relationship and benefits nearly every job sector in America. I applaud their leadership and commend them for standing up for workers across the country.
Oklahomans know all too well how important fair-and-free trade with Mexico and Canada is to our economy. In 2018, exports from Oklahoma to our North American neighbors totaled more than $2.4 billion. For Oklahoma's farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers, USMCA will tremendously increase export opportunities while strengthening the thousands of jobs supported by trade. With a promise to increase prosperity throughout Oklahoma, USMCA now stands ready to deliver.
While I wish this day would have come 384 days sooner, the passage of USMCA in nonetheless a major victory for North American trade."
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Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with strong bipartisan support.
"While it is long overdue, I am proud that the House finally advanced the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which was skillfully negotiated and secured on America's behalf by President Donald Trump," said Cole. "Considering that the United States trades with Mexico and Canada more than any other countries in the world, it is certainly appropriate to strengthen that relationship and right to modernize the outdated terms of trade.
"However, USMCA goes beyond reinforcing the relationship we have with our North American neighbors. This trade agreement is a tremendous win for the American people for millions of manufacturers, entrepreneurs, farmers and ranchers. I applaud President Trump for his dogged commitment to improving economic policies and delivering real benefits to American job creators, workers and consumers."
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