[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PAST TIME TO PASS USMCA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Gianforte) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GIANFORTE. Mr. Speaker, it is time. Actually, it is past time. It 
is past time for Congress to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada 
Agreement.
  Today, I am pleased to join with my colleague and friend, Senator 
Steve Daines, to draw attention to the USMCA's importance to Montana.
  President Trump and his trade negotiators have done a great job 
negotiating this trade deal. USMCA will secure open access to markets 
in Mexico and Canada, markets critical to Montana farmers, ranchers, 
manufacturers, and businesses.
  USMCA will bring over $68 billion in new economic growth. USMCA will 
create 176,000 new American jobs. USMCA helps family farmers and 
ranchers, which is why 1,000 ag groups from across the country have 
endorsed it. USMCA increases agricultural exports by $2 billion a year. 
USMCA supports American workers.
  Speaker, USMCA is a win for Montana and America. But here we are, 355 
days, almost a full year, since President Trump signed USMCA, and the 
deal has gone nowhere in the House.
  So, what is the holdup? The Speaker has stalled since the deal was 
announced. She objected to it. Those objections were addressed, yet 
here we are.
  The Speaker says she is on a path to yes on USMCA. A path to yes, 
however, isn't a yes. Farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and business 
owners deserve certainty, not just a path to yes and more delays.
  Unfortunately, just yesterday, Politico reported USMCA faces another 
delay because of House leadership--another delay. The House has 13 days 
left this year, 13 days to get this deal done. It is up to Congress to 
act.
  Speaker, the needless delays must end. The Trump administration has 
done its job and negotiated an agreement that works for Montana and our 
country. It is time for Congress to do its job.
  I urge House leaders to give farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and 
business owners the certainty they need. I urge House leaders to move 
forward with USMCA to create jobs, increase paychecks, and grow our 
economy.
  Let's consider USMCA. Let's vote on USMCA. Let's ratify USMCA.

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