2019: Schweikert Voted For The U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement. In December 2019, Schweikert 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]