[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        REPLACE NAFTA WITH USMCA

  (Mrs. MURPHY of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my hope and 
expectation that the Trump administration and Congress will resolve the 
few outstanding issues so that Congress can take a strong bipartisan 
vote to modernize NAFTA, our outdated trade agreement with Canada and 
Mexico, and replace it with USMCA, a better agreement that will benefit 
America's workers, farmers, businesses, and families, while also 
fortifying our relationship with our two closest neighbors.
  As a member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, I believe well-
negotiated trade agreements can improve our economy and our security, 
but I also know poorly negotiated trade pacts can hurt America's 
workers and make it harder to maintain broad-based support for the 
concept of freer and fairer trade.
  USMCA fixes flaws in some NAFTA chapters based on the lessons we have 
learned since NAFTA was enacted in 1994. It also adds new chapters to 
reflect the reality that the world has undergone major changes in the 
last 25 years.
  I support the deliberative and productive negotiations taking place 
between the administration and House Democrats. I think both sides are 
working in good faith with the shared goal of getting the best possible 
agreement over the finish line. Each side realizes inaction is not an 
option because NAFTA must be revised.
  I also support bipartisan and bicameral efforts by the Florida 
delegation to protect our farmers who grow seasonal produce from unfair 
competition.
  When it comes to USMCA, it is important we move swiftly and with a 
sense of urgency, but it is just as important that we get this right.

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