House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she doubts Congress has enough time left to pass the USMCA this year, but Democrats and the Trump administration will continue talks next week to work out a compromise on remaining issues.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Pelosi and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) midday to discuss the last sticking points of the deal. Democrats want President Donald Trump’s trade chief to deliver on stronger enforcement mechanisms in the USMCA before a House vote is held. But lawmakers emerged without any announcement.
“We made progress. I think we’re narrowing our differences,” Pelosi said as she left the hour-and-a-half-long meeting on Capitol Hill.
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Pelosi acknowledged earlier on Thursday that numerous steps must be carried out even after an agreement is reached with Lighthizer.
Thursday is the last day before Thanksgiving break for the House. The Trump administration and some Democrats had long hoped to strike a deal before the weeklong recess to give lawmakers time in December to consider the pact.
The House has only eight official session days left in the 2019 calendar year, although lawmakers are expected to stay on an extra week in December to resolve budget issues and avert a government shutdown.
Despite the short time window, Neal is still hopeful that a deal could be struck soon that would allow Congress to pass the pact this year. He said he would talk with Lighthizer again before Thanksgiving, and even joked he would be spending the holiday with the trade chief.
“We’re going to stay right at this through the next week, and we’re going to have a couple counterproposals,” Neal said. “With all seriousness, we do think we’re down to two-and-a-half, maybe three issues.”
Neal added that he will “make it a point” to talk to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka next week, as the labor leader is considered crucial to building support among many Democrats for the deal.
The Trump administration must get Mexico and Canada to approve any changes to the USMCA text, which leaders from all three countries signed in late November 2018.
The administration also has to put together the formal implementing legislation that will be sent to Congress. After that, the bill will be marked up and voted on.
Pelosi has been under increased pressure in recent days to wrap up the USMCA negotiations numerous moderate Democrats — particularly from districts Trump won in the 2016 election — have been vocal about their desire to pass the deal. They have been frustrated with the slow pace of action, particularly as they face criticism from constituents over the impeachment inquiry.
“I keep telling the freshman class: ‘This is about legislation. It takes time,’” she said. But she added: “I’m eager to get this done.”
The Trump administration has been negotiating since June with a group of nine Democrats tapped by Pelosi to secure changes to the USMCA. Those negotiations have focused on Democrats' four major areas of concern: enforcement, labor and environmental standards, as well as prescription drug pricing.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with Pelosi and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) midday to discuss the last sticking points of the deal. Democrats want President Donald Trump’s trade chief to deliver on stronger enforcement mechanisms in the USMCA before a House vote is held. But lawmakers emerged without any announcement.
“We made progress. I think we’re narrowing our differences,” Pelosi said as she left the hour-and-a-half-long meeting on Capitol Hill.
Story Continued Below
Pelosi acknowledged earlier on Thursday that numerous steps must be carried out even after an agreement is reached with Lighthizer.
Thursday is the last day before Thanksgiving break for the House. The Trump administration and some Democrats had long hoped to strike a deal before the weeklong recess to give lawmakers time in December to consider the pact.
The House has only eight official session days left in the 2019 calendar year, although lawmakers are expected to stay on an extra week in December to resolve budget issues and avert a government shutdown.
Despite the short time window, Neal is still hopeful that a deal could be struck soon that would allow Congress to pass the pact this year. He said he would talk with Lighthizer again before Thanksgiving, and even joked he would be spending the holiday with the trade chief.
“We’re going to stay right at this through the next week, and we’re going to have a couple counterproposals,” Neal said. “With all seriousness, we do think we’re down to two-and-a-half, maybe three issues.”
Neal added that he will “make it a point” to talk to AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka next week, as the labor leader is considered crucial to building support among many Democrats for the deal.
The Trump administration must get Mexico and Canada to approve any changes to the USMCA text, which leaders from all three countries signed in late November 2018.
The administration also has to put together the formal implementing legislation that will be sent to Congress. After that, the bill will be marked up and voted on.
Pelosi has been under increased pressure in recent days to wrap up the USMCA negotiations numerous moderate Democrats — particularly from districts Trump won in the 2016 election — have been vocal about their desire to pass the deal. They have been frustrated with the slow pace of action, particularly as they face criticism from constituents over the impeachment inquiry.
“I keep telling the freshman class: ‘This is about legislation. It takes time,’” she said. But she added: “I’m eager to get this done.”
The Trump administration has been negotiating since June with a group of nine Democrats tapped by Pelosi to secure changes to the USMCA. Those negotiations have focused on Democrats' four major areas of concern: enforcement, labor and environmental standards, as well as prescription drug pricing.
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