Rep. Cuellar Votes on Historic Trade AgreementCongressman helps pass the USMCA in the U.S. House of Representatives
Washington | Charlotte Laracy, DC Press Secretary (202-226-1583); Alexis Torres, District Press Secretary (956-286-6007),
December 19, 2019
Tags:
Trade and Economy
Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) voted to pass the United States- Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This trade agreement is projected to raise GDP by nearly $70 billion and create upwards of 200,000 American jobs. “Over the past year, I have been working with both Democrats and Republicans to create a trade agreement that benefits our workers, businesses, consumers, and the economy as a whole. This is the day we have all been working towards. Today, we have voted and passed the USMCA, a historic victory for my district, for the state of Texas, and for our country as a whole.” “This agreement will increase market access for U.S. farmers, strengthen intellectual property rights, provide strong labor and environment obligations, and create thousands of American jobs. Furthermore, I secured key environmental provisions in the agreement, including $250 million for the North American Development Bank (NADB) as well as $300 million to fund Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants under the Border Water Infrastructure Program. These investments will enhance our ability to fund environmental infrastructure projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.” “I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this agreement as soon as possible so our economy can immediately start benefiting from the billions of dollars in new trading opportunities. This trade agreement will position more Americans to compete—and win—in today’s global economy.” “I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, and their staff for their hard work on this trade agreement. I also want to thank Mexico’s Foreign Secretary Marcelo Luis Ebrard, Deputy Foreign Minister Jesus Seade, Ambassador Martha Bárcena, Senator Ricardo Monreal, and House Majority Leader Mario Delgado as well as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland for working with us to create an agreement that will be beneficial for all three countries.”
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