Rep. Cuellar Leads Congressional Delegation to Mexico City

Congressmen met with Mexican government officials, business community leaders, and labor union representatives to discuss USMCA

Texas Border Business

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WASHINGTON — Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), and staff from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Committee on Ways and Means attended a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Mexico City, where they met with several high-ranking Mexican officials, business community leaders, and labor representatives to discuss the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USCMA) and the recent labor reform package. The Congressman released the following statement:

“I had the pleasure of leading a CODEL to Mexico City which provided an opportunity for lawmakers, as well as business community leaders and labor representatives to discuss critical labor reforms. My colleague, Representative Lou Correa, myself, and staff from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Committee on Ways and Means heard from leading voices in Mexico on the potential impacts of the new trade deal. 

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“I will continue to support the USMCA because of the positive impacts it will have on a broad range of industries and the overall boost on the U.S. economy. Specifically, this trilateral deal is estimated to increase economic activity in the U.S. and address major labor reform.

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“This trip further proved how critical it is that we ratify this trilateral trade agreement, so that we may continue to capitalize on the economic benefits NAFTA has facilitated for over two decades.”

Addressing Labor Reform

The CODEL met with Mexican government officials, business community leaders, and labor union representatives before the Senate was scheduled to vote on the highly anticipated labor reform package that was recently passed in the Senate on April 29, 2019. The legislation was drafted with the specific purpose to align with labor commitments made in the USMCA; specifically, it gives workers in Mexico the right to organize; establishes the creation of tribunals and a federal center in charge of solving controversies between workers, employers, and unions; and provides that employers must engage in collective bargaining, if requested by employees. Please see the link to labor reform bill here.

Increasing Partnership with Mexico

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Congressman Cuellar has been a long-time champion in bolstering the relationship between the United States and its southern neighbor, Mexico. His support for increased trade has been one of his top priorities as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressman was appointed to Chair the United States-Mexico Interparliamentary Group (IPG) for the 116th Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The IPG is the official discussion mechanism between the United States Congress and the Mexican government. As a member of this group, Congressman Cuellar hopes to build and improve upon the current relationship between the U.S. and Mexico governments.

Furthermore, he has been a strong voice in bipartisan bills that promote economic cooperation between the United States and Mexico. One of the most notable is the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act. This bipartisan legislation strengthens professional development and economic growth in both countries with a focus on the energy, health, entrepreneurship, and education sectors. The second, is the United States-Mexico Tourism Improvement Act, which will help benefit the tourism industries in both countries.

Most recently, he worked and fought hard against building a wall along the Texas-Mexico border. He has always said that the Rio Grande, or the Rio Bravo as it is known in Mexico, does not divide, but rather it unites us.

Recognizing Mexico’s Efforts

During the House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on DHS’ fiscal year 2020 budget request, Congressman Cuellar strongly encouraged DHS to recognize Mexico in helping the U.S. mitigate the increased flow of migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexico continues to play an integral part in aiding the U.S. with this challenge by detaining immigrants from Central America and returning them to their countries. In March alone, Mexican authorities deported 13,000 migrants back to their country of origin. The Congressman believes that DHS, the State Department, and other related U.S. agencies should continue working with our southern neighbor and continue to foster this critical relationship.

Please see list of CODEL meetings and discussion topics here.

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