Executive Calendar

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORNYN. Madam President, we are rapidly approaching the 1-year mark since President Trump and the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of Mexico signed a new trade agreement to strengthen our economies.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, will replace NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and continue to guide trade with our northern and southern neighbors in the future.

It is estimated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the number of jobs in the United States that have been created directly as a result of trade with Mexico ranges around the 5 million figure, with another 8 million from binational with Canada, so this is no small matter.

Since NAFTA was enacted in 1994, a lot has changed. The way we communicate and the way we shop and even go about our daily lives rely heavily on technology that didn't exist 25 years ago.

Make no mistake--NAFTA has been a huge benefit to our country, and Texas has arguably benefited more than any other State. In 2018, Texas exported nearly $110 billion in goods to Mexico, and we imported $107 billion worth of goods from Mexico.

When you consider actions being taken by China to counter our interests all over the world, our reliance on North American partners has become increasingly important. That only underscores the need to ratify the USMCA and strengthen our trading relationship to ensure we are not left behind as the global economy continues to evolve.

The USMCA is the most significant update to U.S. trade policy in a generation and will propel our growing economy into the 21st century. It takes into account businesses and practices that didn't exist when NAFTA was created, such as 2-day shipping, online microretailers, and digital products like eBooks and music. It also requires Canada and Mexico to raise their de minimis shipment value levels, meaning additional classes of shipments can enter all three countries with expedited entry procedures. That is a big win for small and medium- sized businesses, which often lack the resources to pay customs duties and taxes.

The USMCA prohibits restrictions on the cross-border movement of data. It increases goods market access. It supports small businesses. It boosts digital trade and safeguards intellectual property and supports agriculture. It also keeps jobs here at home.

In short, this trade agreement is a big win for the American people. Some even argue that the USMCA is more important than restoring our normalized trading relationship with China.

Earlier this year, the International Trade Commission provided insight into what we could expect to see once the USMCA is ratified. Within 6 years, they say, we are looking at 176,000 new American jobs and an increase in the gross domestic product by more than $68 billion. That is a bigger impact than the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

The USMCA is expected to have a positive impact on every industry sector in the U.S. economy. We can look forward to a more than $43 billion increase in exports and more than $31 billion in imports. That is great news for North American workers, farmers, ranchers, and business men and women who will reap the benefits of this agreement.

When I am meeting with my constituents back home or here in Washington, one of the most common questions I get asked is, ``When is the USMCA going to pass?''

Mexico has already ratified the agreement, and Canada is waiting for us to move before acting. The agreement has broad support in the Senate, and clearly the President is on board as well. So the only holdup in the entire process is the House of Representatives.

Up until about a month ago, I told my constituents that I thought the prospects for passage sometime this year were looking pretty good. House Democrats did have some concerns, but Speaker Pelosi was reportedly working in good faith with the administration to work through them. There were indications of progress and productive conversations with Mexico and Canada to address their concerns as well.

It looked as though we were moving along a path to a deal, but then the House blew up all plans for a productive year in Congress. They marched headlong into impeachment and tossed aside important legislation. Forget working on a trade deal that will benefit every sector of the economy; House Democrats are too busy conducting secret hearings in an effort to force the President--someone they despise--out of office.

Whether they intend to allow the USMCA to receive a vote in the House is unknown, but I sincerely hope that House Democrats have enough good sense to avoid blowing up a vital trade deal over political disagreements with the President. As we all know, the closer you get to an election, the more challenging legislating actually becomes, and the clock is ticking away. It is a shame that the House continues to put politics ahead of good policy that will benefit the entire American people.

The USMCA is good for the economy, good for business, good for workers, and it sure is good for Texas. It is time for the House to quit playing games so we can ratify this trade agreement without further delay.

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