The House on Thursday passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a large bipartisan vote of 385-41.
The bill, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 5430), will now go to the Senate Finance Committee.
“USMCA will maintain and improve market access for U.S. chicken in our top two markets in terms of value, Mexico and Canada,” said NCC President Mike Brown. “It will also positively impact both the U.S. agriculture sector and the broader national economy. We urge the Senate early in the new year to immediately pass this important trade agreement.
“We thank the House for its passage, and thank President Trump for his leadership and for the tireless work of the administration, Agriculture Secretary Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer.”
Because the trade agreement has implications on tariff rates, the bill is considered a revenue bill, which required the House to act first. Under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which is governing the process for passage, the Senate Finance Committee will have up to 15 session days to consider the House bill before it is discharged to the full chamber.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated in media reports that he does not plan to bring the bill for full Senate chamber consideration before the end of the Senate’s impeachment trial.
Once passed by the Senate, the bill would go to President Donald Trump for his signature. President Trump would then implement the agreement by Presidential proclamation.
Both Canada and Mexico have agreed to the updated agreement.
