Are Lawmakers Being Rushed When It Comes To USMCA?

Are House Democrats delaying ratification of USMCA to deny President Trump a political 'win' ahead of next year's elections?  That charge was leveled at a House Ways and Means trade hearing this week.  Ways and Means Chair Richard Neal said they don't want to be 'rushed' to ratify USMCA.

“We can ensure that labor standards are raised through this agreement, that protections for the environment are respected, and that affordable access to medicines is preserved, now and in the future. All of this is too important to rush.”

But, U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer pushed back on the idea of lawmakers being rushed.

"The bill has been public, and we've been in negotiations for nine-months. So, the suggestion that that's somehow 'rushing,' I guess I would push back against that. I don't believe that waiting nine months to get to the point where you can make improvements, is rushing anything."

Lighthizer told skeptical Democrats who insist on stronger labor and environmental enforcement, he could solve both in an afternoon if given the chance.  Lighthizer said USMCA will lead to more market access and reduce unfair trade barriers for American producers.  He added the deal was negotiated with ideas from both parties, includes never-before done labor and environmental provisions, and will be “the gold standard” for future deals.

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