On January 16, the Senate approved implementing legislation (H.R. 5430) for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), sending the measure to the President. The vote was 89-10.

The vote was scheduled ahead of the Senate receiving House managers to exhibit impeachment articles. The impeachment process had previously threatened to delay the vote.

In a floor statement on January 15, Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recognized that Ranking member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) laid the groundwork for enforcement improvements in the bill that enabled agreement between House Democrats and the White House. Senators Wyden and Brown also spoke on the issue.

House Democrats have highlighted improvements to the USMCA that they secured, including stronger labor standards.

In his floor statement, Chairman Grassley championed the USMCA overall, including benefits in the Canadian market for US agricultural products. He commended the President's efforts to forge an updated trade agreement and expressed regret that policymaking has been distracted by pursuit of impeachment.

Chairman Grassley concluded the statement by saying, "Separately, let's not delay the people's business on other important matters before us, such as drug pricing reform and retirement and pension legislation that would provide peace of mind for Americans for their health care and financial security."

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