Republican Sens. James Lankford and Marsha Blackburn, along with Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, all agreed that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade bill would be beneficial to the United States and could be passed in the Senate ― but it's on hold in the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not moved it onto the floor.
"It has to go through the House of Representatives first," Lankford, R-Okla., told Fox Business' "Mornings with Maria." "No doubt it will overwhelmingly pass the Senate. This is good for American farmers, good for American workers."
Hassan, D-N.H., while not commenting directly on Pelosi, said the agreement has some "very important, good provisions" and makes sure American workers are protected.
"International trade done right is a really, really good thing for American business and American farmers," she added. "We just have to make sure the enforcement provisions really protect those same people."
Lankford said it's not known what the hold up is on the House floor, which has had the opportunity to take it up for several months.
"My belief is that at some point Nancy Pelosi trying to be able to work with a very divided House," said Lankford. "She wants a majority of her Democratic group to be able to vote for it trying to work."
Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a separate interview that trade issues are "paramount" and complained that Pelosi should have brought it to the floor before this month's summer recess. At any rate, the Farm Bureau and the U.S. Chamber both support the USMCA, said Blackburn, and it's time for Pelosi to bring it up for a vote.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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