"Better Late Than Never," Gianforte Says of Pelosi's USMCA Announcement

Statement

In response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) announcement that the U.S. House of Representatives will consider the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) released the following statement:

"After repeatedly asking her to act, I can announce today that Speaker Pelosi is finally bringing USMCA up for a vote in the U.S. House. The Trump administration did their job with this critical trade deal, and Speaker Pelosi is finally doing hers -- better late than never. USMCA works for Montana and our country, securing access to our top trading partners, creating 176,000 new American jobs, and increasing ag exports by more than 2 billion dollars. USMCA will make our already strong national economy even stronger."

Background:

According to a report from the United States International Trade Commission, USMCA will create 176,000 new jobs, grow the U.S. economy by $68.2 billion, and increase agricultural exports by $2.2 billion.

Nearly 1,000 agricultural groups across the U.S. have endorsed USMCA, including the Montana Farm Bureau, Montana Grain Elevator Association, Montana Pork Producers Council, National Association of Wheat Growers, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Canada is Montana's top trading partner. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, Montana exported $692 million in goods to Canada in 2018, representing 42 percent of the state's total goods exports.

Gianforte repeatedly asked Pelosi to have the House consider USMCA.

In May, Gianforte asked Pelosi to drop her opposition to USMCA and work with the White House to move the trade deal forward, noting the requirements set by both Democrats and Republicans had been met.
In September, Gianforte spoke on the House floor urging Pelosi to work with the White House to get USMCA passed. He noted that it had been a full year since the U.S., Mexico, and Canada has concluded negotiations and announced the agreement.
In November, Gianforte and U.S. Senator Steve Daines took to the floor of their respective chambers to urge immediate action on USMCA, citing the trade deal's benefits to Montana.
In December, Gianforte and 158 other lawmakers pressed Pelosi to "stop dithering" and bring up USMCA for a vote in the U.S. House this year.
In May 2017, the Trump administration notified Congress of the start of negotiations to modernize NAFTA.

In September 2018, negotiations concluded with an agreement between all three countries and the final text was published online.

In November 2018, President Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico signed the agreement.

Source