Johnson Urges Passage of USMCA

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today repeated his support for the United States Mexico Canada Agreement on the U.S. House Floor.

Johnson's remarks below:

"Mr. Speaker, it's time.

"It's time for Congress to pass the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement: the USMCA. This is not, as many of you know, a new issue.

"The administration finished its work months ago, 292 days ago to be exact.

"Well that's 292 days that Congress has had to ask questions. That's 292 days that we have had to assess the benefits of the agreement. That's 292 days that we have had to analyze the text of that agreement.

"During the August recess I had conversations with hundreds, maybe thousands of folks and their message was clear: USMCA is clearly a better agreement and Congress needs to do its job for the good of this country.

"There are a number of ways in which the president has negotiated a USMCA that is stronger, that is better than NAFTA.

"First, USMCA ensures that the digital economy will be more open and more secure.

"Second, the strong currency manipulation language and intellectual property language provides a model for other agreements, especially one with China.

"And third Mr. Speaker, the benefits to the Ag community are compelling. My colleagues have heard me speak before about the fact that our Ag producers have not had the easiest of time of it lately.

"They need the USMCA. This agreement opens up new access to Canadian markets for wheat, wine, egg, poultry, and dairy.

"It increases agricultural exports by nearly $200 billion per year and that is why 1,000 Ag groups across the country have endorsed USMCA.

"They know with fair access to markets, American producers can compete, and they can win.

"USMCA is not perfect, but collectively, with these improvements, can create 176,000 American jobs and would increase our GDP by $68 billion.

"That is real value across the agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors.

"The administration has done its job. The administration has negotiated an agreement that powers economic opportunity and grows American jobs.

"And so, it's time for this body to act. It's time for the Speaker to bring this bill to the floor.

"Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to pass the USMCA."