[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6573-S6574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to shine a 
spotlight on our strong, healthy, and growing economy. Specifically, my 
focus is on how this record-setting economy is helping and could 
continue to help all Americans.
  Since Republicans took over and passed tax relief, there has been no 
end to the boon in jobs in our country. Republicans have put the U.S. 
worker in the driver's seat. The October jobs report again beat all 
expectations. U.S. employers added a solid 128,000 jobs last month 
alone.
  Even better, American workers are noting that their wallets are 
thicker and fatter. Wages are up 3 percent year over year. It is the 
fastest growth--faster than inflation.
  We also continue to see record-low unemployment across the country. 
At 3.6 percent, the U.S. jobless rate is near a 50-year low. African-
American unemployment is at a 50-year low. In fact, 3 years of 
Republican pro-growth policies have produced more than 6 million new 
jobs--actually, 6,700,000 new jobs. Today, the United States has nearly 
160 million people working. That is another record high. Median 
household income is the highest in 20 years. No wonder a new poll by 
Gallup shows Americans are planning to spend more than ever this 
holiday season because they have the money. They have earned it, and 
they have kept more of their hard-earned money as a result of tax 
relief.
  The U.S. stock market continues to set new highs, and that is welcome 
news for people when they look at their pensions, their retirements, 
and their 401(k)s.
  Notably, trade optimism has been a major factor in the stock market's 
climb to record highs, which brings me to my next point: How do we 
start the next chapter of the United States in terms of our success 
story? I believe it is through America-first trade victories.
  Without question, the most important trade deal we need to pass right 
now is USMCA--the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. In my 
view, it is vital to continuing our American prosperity. The U.S.-
Mexico-Canada trade agreement was signed by all three countries' 
leaders more than a year ago, so you would think, well, it should be in 
place. But it takes more than that. Mexico gave its final approval to 
USMCA in June. Canada is waiting for us--for the House and the Senate--
to give the approval as well.
  Without a doubt, USMCA is the best trade upgrade in 25 years. It is 
going to expand market access for a host of U.S. products, and it is 
going to sharpen U.S. exporters' competitive edge. Above all, USMCA is 
a big benefit for American workers. It will protect and produce 
millions of U.S. jobs, and that is critical.
  I predict it will pass the Senate with strong bipartisan support. So 
it has to get here. Yet we have not crossed the finish line. There is a 
roadblock, and the roadblock is at the other end of

[[Page S6574]]

this building. The roadblock is Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She has not and 
will not yet allow a vote in the House of Representatives. It seems to 
me the Speaker is too obsessed with impeaching the President instead of 
being focused on fighting for American workers. She stopped all 
progress on USMCA in its tracks.
  The stakes, meanwhile, could not be higher. Passing USMCA will save 
American jobs. Twelve million current American jobs are on the line. 
The deal will create 180,000 new U.S. jobs. USMCA is a boon for the 
entire economy. It will boost our economy by $70 billion. So what 
exactly is the Speaker waiting for?
  Canada and Mexico are our top trading partners. U.S. producers don't 
need impeachment chaos or an impeachment circus; what we need is trade 
certainty.
  Not only is the deal essential for U.S. manufacturers, our ranchers 
and farmers are counting on it as well. Canada and Mexico are the top 
export markets for American farmers. Last year, U.S. agriculture 
exports to the two countries totaled $40 billion. For the past 5 years, 
Mexico has consistently ranked second or third for U.S. wheat imports.
  USMCA is a huge win for Wyoming wheat growers. My State is going to 
reap enormous benefits from this deal. Wyoming foreign trade has 
increased nearly 20 percent in recent years. Wyoming farmers--the 
Presiding Officer knows this, coming from an agriculture State--play a 
key role in our economy. This Friday, I will be honored to attend the 
100th annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau. It will be in Laramie. 
Our farmers add billions to the State economy every year, and trade is 
a big part of it.
  Wyoming's annual agriculture exports total $300 million. The export 
market supports 2,600 jobs in our State. Our State not only produces 
livestock, seeds, and crops, but we are exporting essential chemicals 
that farmers everywhere need to grow their crops.
  Wyoming farmers and ranchers are counting on expanded export markets 
for future growth. New markets mean new opportunities, and Wyoming is 
poised to seize them.
  In coming years, we plan to add to our high-quality beef, our grain, 
and our hay exports. Future State exports will include gluten-free 
products, as well as craft beer and distilled spirits, just to name a 
few.
  That is why the USMCA agreement is so essential for the people, not 
just in Wyoming but for people all across America. To keep our record-
setting economy on track, we need to pass this ``America First'' trade 
deal, and we need to do it now.
  It is time to put partisan politics aside. It is time to pass USMCA.

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