[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 186 (Wednesday, November 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H9062-H9063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PASS USMCA BEFORE YEAR-END

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Rouda) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROUDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of resolving the 
outstanding issues needed to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada 
Agreement, or USMCA, before the end of the year.
  More than 12 million American jobs, including 1.8 million jobs in 
California, depend on trade with Canada and Mexico. We simply cannot 
afford to keep the current rules in place if we are to secure our 
economic future and create better paying American jobs.

                              {time}  1015

  Addressing contentious issues in a trade deal are always difficult, 
but I am optimistic that we can come to a productive resolution if the 
administration continues to engage with House Democrats in good faith.

[[Page H9063]]

  USMCA represents an opportunity to fix fundamental flaws in our trade 
policy, reverse the failings of NAFTA, establish strong, enforceable 
labor standards across North America, and promote growth in new sectors 
of each of our economies. Let's get it right this time.
  I thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Neal, and House Democratic 
leadership for their commitment to working families and for ensuring 
USMCA reflects our core values, and I ask for a vote on USMCA as soon 
as possible.

                          ____________________