On December 19, the House approved by a 385-41 vote U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementing legislation (H.R. 5430) after Democratic leaders announced last week that agreement had been reached with the Administration on the deal sought by both parties.

The Senate is expected to consider the agreement in early 2020.

Democrats and Republicans celebrated House action on the agreement. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said the development is very important for the nation. "It's about American workers. It's about being good neighbors in our hemisphere," she said.

House Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) said the agreement is not perfect and no free trade agreements are, but that: "It creates, for the first time, rules for competing in the digital economy, to the advantage of America's manufacturers and farmers across so many sectors. It pries open Canada's market for U.S. farmers and ranchers to sell American dairy, wheat, chicken, eggs, and turkey. It improves the competitive position of our manufacturers, our services companies, and our small businesses. It ends the race to the bottom created by what had been Mexico's poor labor laws."

The agreement was long the subject of negotiation and Democrats have highlighted improvements to the USMCA that they secured, including stronger and more enforceable labor rules. The bill also includes sections on customs, environmental issues and other topics.

Bill text is here.

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