January 8, 2020-The Senate Finance Committee gave its mark of approval yesterday to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which the three countries’ leaders agreed to a year ago.
If ratified by legislatures in all three countries, the USMCA would replace NAFTA.
“USMCA will bring much needed certainty, and real benefits to America’s farmers, workers, and businesses,” Senator Charles Grassley said.
Senator Wyden praised the new enforcement mechanisms. Democrats worked with President Trump to include financial assistance through the Labor Department to help improve labor standards in Mexico and strengthen U.S. capacity to identify when Mexican factories violate labor standards.
“So when you combine this all-in approach on enforcement with new commitments on labor rights and environment, you shut down the corporate race to the bottom on cheap wages and lax standards,” Wyden said.
The next steps for the legislation are uncertain given the Senate’s duty to schedule an impeachment trial on the calendar.
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