White House, Democrats close to USMCA trade deal: report

The legislation is a divisive point among some Democrats, however. Sharp critics of the president have been reluctant to vote on the USMCA and give Trump a legislative victory, while some more moderate lawmakers have been wary of returning to their districts with impeachment dominating the conversation.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been adamant that the caucus can keep impeachment separate from legislation, and she has met in recent weeks with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and other administration officials.

Trump has repeatedly hammered Pelosi for her decision not to bring the USMCA up for a vote to date, accusing her of delaying it to shepherd votes on impeachment.

“I’ll see if I can be switched from ‘no’ to ‘yes,'” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and close union ally, said late last week when asked about the USMCA.

One of the major questions hanging over the talks in recent weeks was whether Mexico would agree to invasive oversight and enforcement of the deal.

“We don’t have very much confidence in that the government of Mexico can fulfill what we’re going to be putting in these trade bill,” Pascrell said.

“If they can’t get [El] Chapo’s son from killing people and his cohorts, how are they going to follow through and administer the legislation we’re talking about?” he added, referring to the drug cartel leader.

But even without union support, Pascrell said some members of Democratic leadership would be eager to push ahead.

Niv Elis contributed to this report, which was updated at 10:45 a.m.