Congressman Gonzalez Delivers Speech on House Floor on USMCA and Rising Violence in Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the rising violence and insecurity in Mexico.

In his speech, Congressman Gonzalez emphasized that violence in Mexico will undoubtedly pose a threat to America’s economic interests in the long-term.

“All while we act as if nothing is happening in our own backyard, negotiators have worked tirelessly to get us here to today’s vote, but they failed to acknowledge the single greatest threat to North American trade and prosperity – violence,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “By accepting this as the status quo, we risk standing in the way of our own economic success.”

The full video of the speech is available below and here.

Background:

Violence in Mexico has spiked significantly with 2018 reported as the deadliest in the country’s history according to a report released by the Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection recorded 33,341 homicides, a 15% increase from 2017.

Congressman Gonzalez has frequently pushed U.S. and Mexico leaders to incorporate security guarantees with proper timelines and implementation like the Safe Highway program before considering a vote on the USMCA. The Safe Highway program is a pilot program proposed by Mexico that seeks to secure six highways throughout Mexico, including Highway 40D, which connects to international bridges along the U.S. – Mexico border to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. 

Congressmen Gonzalez and Filemon Vela (TX-34) recently sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressing their grave concern about transnational criminal organizations’ continued interference in the flow of cross border commerce and tourism. The Congressmen requested the Speaker’s assistance to secure a firm commitment from the Mexican government to guarantee the protection of highways between the United States and Mexico used for trade and tourism.

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Congressman Gonzalez Votes for Passage of the USMCA

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted in favor of H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act. The USMCA will set the highest standard for enforcement in any U.S. trade agreement and provide much-needed certainty for farmers, ranchers, and businesses in the 15th District of Texas. 

The agreement also includes a legislative victory for Congressman Gonzalez in the reauthorization of the North American Development Bank. The Bank works to finance environmentally sound infrastructure that enhances the quality of life for people living in communities on both sides of U.S. – Mexico border, including in the 15th District of Texas.

“This trade agreement is a hard-fought compromise that will bring certainty to families, farmers, and businesses in the 15th District of Texas and raise the bar for enforcement,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “It is my hope that we can bring this same level of vigor and urgency to continue North American cooperation and compromise on insecurity and other critical issues that hinder regional prosperity.”