Bill Text: TX HR1160 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Urging Congress to unite in bipartisan support for the ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-13 - Reported enrolled [HR1160 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HR1160-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 1160

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas is the nation's leading trade state, and its
future prosperity depends on bolstering trade among our North
American partners; and
WHEREAS, The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which
awaits ratification by the U.S. Congress, will create a more level
playing field for American workers, ensure opportunities for trade
in U.S. services, and benefit farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness;
moreover, it modernizes protections for intellectual property,
promotes collaboration in tackling cybersecurity, and ensures that
digital trade data can be transferred cross-border with protections
for the global digital ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, Texas exports totaled $315 billion in 2018; the
state accounts for almost 20 percent of the nation's trade total,
and 45 percent of Lone Star exports are destined for Mexico and
Canada; more than 90 percent of Texas exporters are small
businesses, and the USMCA cuts red tape, making it easier for them
to tap into foreign markets; approximately 44 percent of our
state's agricultural products are exported, and the agreement
provides enhanced market access for eggs, poultry, dairy, and
certain food crops; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, Texas energy exports to Canada and Mexico
totaled almost $17 billion; the USMCA will promote the stability of
this industry by preserving and expanding market integration for
greater certainty, efficiency, and interregional investment; and
WHEREAS, Texas has more U.S. ports of entry than any other
state, and Laredo and El Paso are the two busiest trade stations
doing business with Mexico; while offering new commitments for
market access, the USMCA also addresses nontariff barriers related
to trade in remanufactured goods and import and export licensing;
and
WHEREAS, Nearly one million jobs in Texas are supported by
trade with Mexico and Canada; experts calculate that failure to
ratify the USMCA could result in the loss of as many as 300,000 of
those jobs; as North America has become more economically
integrated, a collaborative approach to trade is absolutely
necessary to protect American jobs and workers while fostering
innovation; and
WHEREAS, The trade landscape has shifted dramatically over
the past two decades, and the USMCA is designed to adapt to the new
terrain by strengthening our nation's export capabilities and
setting the standard for global trade agreements that will spur
continued economic dynamism for years to come; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby respectfully urge the U.S. Congress to unite in
bipartisan support for the ratification of the United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the chief clerk forward official copies of
this resolution to the president of the United States, to the
president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
Parker
Craddick
Cain
Zerwas
Anchia
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1160 was adopted by the House on May
10, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 131, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House