Congress avoided a government shutdown this week by passing two spending packages that will extend funding for a variety of programs, including provisions for agriculture, particularly in disaster assistance.

A couple of key provisions important to the PCG region will:

“We’ve spent considerable time in Washington, D.C., advocating for these provisions that will benefit growers,” PCG Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs Kody Bessent said. “We greatly appreciate everyone involved in helping move this legislative package through Congress and ultimately to the President’s desk.”

On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement by a vote of 385-41.

All three PCG-area representatives issued statements.

“USMCA is expected to result in an additional $2.2 billion in annual agricultural exports from the United States,” U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway of Midland, who is Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee, said. “Perhaps most importantly, today's vote provides a much-needed element of certainty for our farmers and ranchers who have suffered under a 6-year slump in the farm economy.”

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington of Lubbock said, “I applaud our president for his dogged commitment to American first trade policies – that doesn’t mean America only, it means that we negotiate from strength and we negotiate for the best interest of American workers, manufacturers, and farmers. That's what the USMCA does – $70 billion in economic growth, 170,000 jobs and billions in investment in the auto manufacturing sector. Our agriculture producers, dairy producers, and farmers are going to have open access to new customers in Canada.”

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Amarillo said, “Our trade partnerships with Mexico and Canada are important to the well-being of our economy. USMCA is a win for farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and the American economy. This agreement is good for our markets. It is important that Americans have open markets to sell goods.”

The bill will go to the Senate after the first of the new year.

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