How Will Impeachment Discussions Impact USMCA Vote?

As talks heat up in D.C. over the impeachment investigation, many in the farming community that a USMCA vote will be lost in that back and forth.  Many commodity groups hoped for a ratification vote on the updated NAFTA this summer, but that did not happen before the August recess, and now with most eyes on the Ukraine investigation, farmers are concerned USMCA will not get a vote this year.

Representative Dan Newhouse said he is concerned USMCA could be held up for political reasons, rather than for policy reasons.  But he noted when he talks with Democrats in the House of Representatives, he remains hopeful something will be done before the holidays.

“There’s a lot of reasons to do so policy wise, people get the fact that Mexico and Canada are our top two trading partners, and this is a critical piece that we need to get done, for our economy, for our producers.”

Newhouse added from a political stance, USMCA could be seen as a win for President Trump, but not a vote hurts the American people.

“There are a lot of new Democratic members, who won in districts that President Trump carried, and politically, I think they need to be able to bring this home for their producers and their constituents as well.”

Newhouse added he thinks USMCA has a good chance to receiving a vote before the New Year.

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