Agricultural News
With Impeachment Trial on Hold- USMCA Likely to See Senate Consideration Quickly
Sat, 04 Jan 2020 11:01:42 CST
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled an opportunity to quickly consider the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. In a speech on the Senate floor Friday, McConnell says the Senate will "go about ordinary business," because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding the articles of impeachment, thought to delay USMCA consideration in the Senate this month. A hearing is on the calendar Tuesday morning for the Senate Finance Committee to markup the implementing legislation for USMCA. Back on December 19th- the House approved the implementing legislation for USMCA by a 385 to 41 vote.
McConnell charged Democrats in the House were "searching desperately for some new talking point" on impeachment, and alleged they were developing cold feet. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded, however, that "instead of trying to find the truth," comments by McConnell indicate there will not be a fair impeachment trial. Senate consideration of USMCA was expected after the impeachment trial in the Senate. However, with a delay and fighting amongst lawmakers regarding the trial, USCMA could sneak through before a trial begins.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is hoping to get a Committee recommendation to the full Senate on Tuesday to ratify USMCA when the Committee meets. There is talk that a vote on the Senate Floor for USMCA could come as early as Thursday.
One Democratic Senator that earlier seemed like she would be a "No" vote is now a "Yes." Democrtatic Presidential Hopeful Senator Elizabeth Warren said she would vote to pass the USMCA trade deal in the Senate during an interview Friday, despite saying in 2018 that she would not support "NAFTA 2.0."
Warren cited "improvements" made after months of negotiations between the White House and House Democrats as the reason for her switch, saying that the deal will "help open up some markets for farmers" with tighter labor standards.
Click or tap here for reaction from the Trump Administration and several members of Congress after the House passed the USMCA back on December 19th. We also gathered a multitude of reaction from the Ag Community on December 19th after the House approved the USMCA- click or tap here for their comments.
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