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Congress Could Press for NAFTA Vote This Year

Dan Industry News Release, Legislative, Trade

Republicans could push for a swift vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement if Congressional power swings to Democrats in the November elections. Some Republicans in the Senate are pushing to approve the new trade deal this year, if the party voteloses majority in the House.

The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, and if one of the chambers switches sides, some believe Democrats would vote against the agreement because it’s a “win” for President Donald Trump.

Bloomberg reports not all Republicans are sure that a vote will happen this year, given that trade is such a volatile issue in the U.S. and that NAFTA has faced widespread criticism. However, Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch has said the Senate “ought to move on NAFTA as soon as we can.” The Committee is the top panel in the Senate responsible for trade. A vote this year would be part of a busy lame-duck session that would include budget bills and the farm bill.

Source: National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.