Inside D.C.

USMCA – A deliberate consideration or fast track?

Almost 1,000 local, state and national agriculture and food groups can’t or least shouldn’t be wrong.  That gang represents a whole lot of primary and secondary voters, and if, as we’ve been told, Congress is all about the 2020 election, then the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be approved by July 4. 

In truth, the number of ag/food groups cited is closer to 960, and the when/if of USMCA approval is still up in the air. However, all those aggies signed on to a letter this week to the full Congress pushing for “quick” ratification of USMCA.  The food/ag groups reiterated to Congress the $40-billion economic boon USMCA represents to their industries and the positive impact it has on consumer food quality and affordability. 

When it comes to timing, the aggies run with the White House crowd on scheduling USMCA votes sooner rather than later.  So, if you ask an aggie, they’d just as soon see the treaty signed, sealed and delivered by the August recess, or at the very least, Labor Day.

President Trump, who’s made USMCA approval his number one legislative priority, upon being told about the food/ag letter tweeted in a way overly solicitous manner: “Just heard nearly 1,000 agriculture groups signed a letter…Our Patriot Farmers and rural American have spoken!” 

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says he’s “hopeful” Congress will greenlight the tripartite trade treaty “by the end of the summer.”  However, business leaders and some lawmakers warn Trump not to ram USMCA through Congress without addressing concerns detailed by Democrat lawmakers. 

The Business Roundtable told reporters this week it does not support an “unrealistic deadline” for congressional action, rather the priority is “getting it done.”  Big biz also supports working with Democrats to address labor, environmental, enforcement and pharmaceutical pricing concerns they have with the treaty.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) this week announced Ways & Means Committee Chair Richard Neal (D, MA) will chair a new House Trade Working Group, charged with negotiating with U.S. Special Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer to find that happy middle ground that will allow Democrats to “get to ‘yes’” on USMCA and the White House priority on getting USMCA ratified quickly.  It’s no surprise the working group will focus on drug pricing, labor, environment and enforcement.

For its part, the Business Roundtable fears Trump will send to the Hill his formal USMCA legislative review package.  Under his fast track authority, that document transfer starts a 90-day clock for Congress to conclude its hearings and schedule an up-or-down vote.  The Roundtable fears acceptable fixes to the treaty to mollify Democrats might not be in hand within 90 days.  The business group sees the end of 2019 as more realistic goal than the administration’s Labor Day deadline. 

Sen. Jim Lankford (R, OK), who counts himself among GOP lawmakers suspicious Democrats may drag their feet politically to deny Trump a “win” on USMCA, said he wants to see the White House send to the Hill formal implementing legislation by June 30.  That signals a Labor Day vote.

Only time will tell. All those aggies can’t be wrong.