[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 196 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             PASS USMCA NOW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, this week, I hope and I pray that we are 
on the verge of passing the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal, a 
deal that will literally mean millions of dollars in new market 
opportunities for Kansas agriculture products, new customs and trade 
rules for our small businesses, and thousands of new jobs for Kansas 
that will allow more goods and materials to be manufactured in this 
great country.
  Today, once again, I join nearly 160 of my colleagues in signing a 
letter urging Speaker Pelosi to hold a vote on this trade agreement. 
The agreement will set farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses in 
Kansas up for long-term success. This will lead to more exports, more 
jobs, and higher wages. It would be a great Christmas present for all 
of Kansas and for all the hardworking Americans across this great 
Nation.
  With now just 2 weeks remaining, the House has so far squandered this 
entire first session of the 116th Congress. There is no excuse for 
holding a trade agreement up that is expected to create 176,000 jobs, 
deliver a $70 billion boost to our economy, and make us stronger in our 
trade negotiations with China.
  Speaker Pelosi, I beg you, stop putting politics ahead of our 
producers. The House has a great chance to secure a victory for the 
American people. Let's deliver a win for our economy, pass the United 
States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, and give America a great 
Christmas present this year.


                 Celebrating the Companionship of Pets

  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, this week is pet week in our office, to 
celebrate our furry companions and the happiness they bring to our 
lives.
  In this spirit, this is an opportunity to recognize that the pet food 
industry is simply huge for Kansas. Pet food manufacturers in the 
animal health corridor stretching from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, 
Missouri, and from Emporia, Kansas, to Omaha, Nebraska, account for 
more than half of all pet industry sales in the United States and 
provide thousands of jobs to Kansans.
  Many of our State's finest agriculture commodities go into our 
domestic animal food production network. As companion animal pet 
products gain a larger foothold in the overall food market, it is vital 
we continue to do all we can to capitalize on that growth and deliver 
high-paying new jobs for Kansas and encourage the development of the 
industry to not only benefit our farmers but all of Kansas.
  Aside from the obvious economic reasons to support the pet food 
industry in our State, there are genuine benefits of companion animals 
to humans. Pet ownership has grown for a reason. Many studies show that 
having a companion animal, a pet, in the home can reduce depression and 
blood pressure and provide other mental health benefits. Additionally, 
there is incredible work being done with companion animals for our 
military servicemembers when they return home suffering from PTSD and 
other mental and physical challenges.
  Some of the most successful and innovative pet companies in the world 
are in Kansas, incorporating our agriculture products in their pet food 
supply. There is a direct link between the pet food industry and the 
Kansas economy, and I will continue to work to expand those 
opportunities for the industry, both domestically and, very 
importantly, internationally.
  The House has a chance to secure and encourage pet innovation going 
on across the country. We look forward to that market growing.

                          ____________________