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Republican senators ask Trump to ratify USMCA this year

A dozen Republican lawmakers are asking President Trump to send the final text of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement to Congress, so it can be ratified this year.

In a letter, the legislators say it will be harder to pass the agreement when Democrats take control of the House in 2019.

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey says the USMCA is a mixed bag of trade-enhancing and trade-restricting changes. But, he says he will vote in favor of the agreement if Trump makes pro-trade modifications in the implementing legislation.

To be considered in the lame-duck session, the administration must submit the final text before the end of the month.

The letter is also signed by Senators Rob Portman of Ohio, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Steve Daines of Montana, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Jon Kyl of Arizona, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ted Cruz of Texas.