[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



              United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement

  Mr. President, last week, the Senate Finance Committee overwhelmingly 
passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, which will replace NAFTA 
and guide our trade with Mexico and Canada into the future. This is a 
big deal for Texas and a big deal for the country. About 13 million 
jobs depend on trade between Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
  We waited a long time for the opportunity to take up the USMCA. The 
heads of all three countries initially signed the deal back in November 
of 2019, and for over a year this is another example of the House foot-
dragging.
  At several points, we were left wondering whether the Speaker would 
intentionally blow up the trade deal over their own political 
motivations, but fortunately that didn't happen. We had a long delay, 
but we are finally to the point where the Senate can take up and pass 
the USMCA now that the House acted just before Christmas. This week, 
several Senate committees will review various portions of the 
agreement, and I hope we can actually get this trade agreement approved 
before we go to the impeachment trial. We will have the War Powers 
Resolution, which is privileged, and so that will come first, but 
hopefully there will be an opportunity to pass the USMCA before we go 
to this impeachment trial.
  I have heard from countless of my constituents whose livelihoods 
depend on strong international trade, particularly with our southern 
neighbor, and they are eager to see this USMCA put to bed. It is 
frustrating that this process has already been prolonged and 
uncertainty has prevailed and kept farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers 
waiting for months on end, not knowing what ultimately would happen 
with the USMCA.
  So I am ready for the Speaker to deliver her promise and finally 
transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate so we can conduct 
that sober, deliberate trial according to the Constitution and then 
move on from these partisan games and get back to the work we were sent 
here to do.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to 
finish my remarks before the vote is called. I don't anticipate I will 
take very long.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.