Cole, Lucas call on House leaders to bring trade deal to vote

U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Frank Lucas (R-OK), and the entire Oklahoma congressional delegation this week offered unanimous support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed by the president and foreign leaders more than a year ago.

“I am proud to unify with my Oklahoma colleagues in calling for a vote on this vital trade deal,” said Rep. Cole, who was joined by the other four Oklahoma members of the U.S. House of Representatives and both U.S. senators in issuing a joint statement calling on House leaders to bring the USMCA to a vote by year’s end.

“It’s now been more than a year since President Trump, Mexican President Nieto, and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau signed an updated trade agreement to strengthen that relationship and deliver benefits to consumers and job creators,” Rep. Cole said. “Unfortunately, each day that Speaker Pelosi prevents a House vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is another day that American manufacturers, entrepreneurs, farmers and ranchers miss out on its benefits.”

Rep. Lucas agreed, adding that businesses and agriculture producers across Oklahoma are waiting for Congress to act. “Oklahoma’s manufacturers and agriculture producers know all too well the added value of exporting products into the world market and ensuring a level playing field only heightens our state’s prosperity,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn (D-OK) said in the statement that stronger trading relationships with U.S. partners means a stronger economy for Oklahoma.

“Free and fair trade is important to the families, workers and businesses in my district, and that is why I am fighting for finalization of the USMCA every step of the way,” she added. “Finding common ground takes hard work, and we won’t cross the finish line with finger-pointing or partisan politics. As the year comes to a close, we must find a bipartisan agreement and bring the USMCA to the floor for a vote.”