2019: Fitzpatrick Voted For The U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade
Agreement. In December 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for the
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "implement the trade agreement reached between
the United States, Mexico, and Canada that replaces the North American
Free-Trade Agreement. It would modify existing trade law to provide for
implementation of the agreement, authorize federal agencies and other
entities to implement and enforce provisions of the agreement, and
authorize or appropriate more than $2 billion in funding for certain
implementation activities." The vote was on passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 385-41. The Senate later passed the bill and the
President signed the bill into law. [House Vote 701,
12/19/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/19/19;
Congressional Actions,
H.R.5430]
Some Democrats Opposed The Deal, Citing A Lack Of Climate Change
Provisions. According to Congressional Quarterly, 'several
dissenting Democrats [cited] the absence of climate change
provisions as a lost opportunity to address the issue on an
international scale since Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris
climate agreement." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/16/20]
Environmental Groups Urged Senators To Vote No On The USMCA.
According to The Hill, "nine environmental groups wrote to lawmakers
urging them to vote against [the USMCAs] passage [...] The
coalition specifically lamented that the trade agreement 'does not
even mention climate change, fails to adequately address toxic
pollution, includes weak environmental standards and an even weaker
enforcement mechanism, supports to fossil fuels, and allows oil and
gas corporations to challenge climate and environmental
protections.'" [The Hill,
12/13/19]
House Democrats Successfully Fought For The Agreement To Include
Provisions That Made It More Difficult For U.S. Auto Makers To Shift
Production To Mexico. According to Congressional Quarterly, "House
Democrats had negotiated several changes to the USMCA to make it
acceptable. Key changes for Democrats included enforcement of labor
provisions they believe will make it more difficult and expensive
for U.S. manufacturers, particularly auto makers, to shift
production to Mexico. The changes won the endorsement of the
AFL-CIO, but other unions such as the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers oppose it." [Congressional
Quarterly,
1/16/20]
The USMCA Allowed The U.S. To Ensure Mexican Factories Are
Complying With Workers' Union Rights. According to Politico, "Some
of the top labor changes that won over Democrats include provisions
that will allow the U.S. to file complaints against Mexican
factories suspected of violating workers' union rights. The revised
USMCA would allow the U.S. to be part of a multinational team that
verifies whether factories are complying and can penalize them if
they do not." [Politico,
1/16/20]
The USMCA Helped American Dairy Farmers Gain Access To Foreign
Markets. According to the Washington Post, "The USMCA also gives
American dairy farmers more access to the Canadian market,
especially for 'Class 7' milk products such as milk powder and milk
proteins. The deal puts some restrictions on how much dairy Canada
can export, which could help American dairy farmers edge into
foreign markets." [Washington Post,
1/16/20]
The USMCA Gave Technology Companies Immunity From Liability For
User Content Posted On Their Platforms. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The pact also would give technology companies provisions
to address e-commerce, which did not exist when NAFTA was
negotiated. A chapter based on Section 230 of a 1996
telecommunications law gives companies like Facebook, Google and
Twitter immunity from liability for user content posted on their
platforms." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/16/20]
CBO Estimated That The USMCA Would Generate $2.97 Billion In
Government Revenue For The U.S. Over 10 Years. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The Congressional Budget Office estimates
that the USMCA will increase U.S. government revenue by $2.97
billion from fiscal 2020 to 2029 due to higher expected duty revenue
on car and truck parts that do not meet the stricter rules."
[Congressional Quarterly,
1/16/20]
The International Trade Commission Estimated That The USMCA Would
Increase Real GDP By $68.2 Billion (.35%) And Add 176,000 Jobs In
The U.S. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The International
Trade Commission, an independent agency, said the trade agreement,
'if fully implemented,' over several years would increase real GDP
by $68.2 billion, or 0.35 percent, and would add 176,000 jobs to
the U.S. economy." [Congressional Quarterly,
1/16/20]