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San Diego, CA – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group (IPG) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX), the Chair of the IPG, led a congressional delegation to California to meet with Mexican lawmakers on several critical and timely issues facing our two countries, including ratifying the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), improving relations between our two countries, and our shared security challenges. The U.S.-Mexico IPG has been held regularly since 1961 to bring together legislators from both countries to discuss priority issues and identify ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Co-Chair McCaul said: “At such a critical time in U.S.-Mexico relations, this weekend’s 54th IPG meeting was a very positive discussion about the issues facing our two nations, including immigration, security, and trade.

“We had in-depth discussions on the mutual benefits of the USMCA including job growth and protections of intellectual property, and I am hopeful that the House will pass this critical agreement soon. We also addressed shared security threats, including the fentanyl and opioids coming from China, and reaffirmed our commitment to working together on a comprehensive counter-narcotics strategy that will enhance the public safety of both our nations. And while challenges remain, we recognized Mexico’s cooperation with the U.S. on managing the flow of illegal migrants to our border.”

“I look forward to continued collaboration with IPG Chair Cuellar and my Mexican counterparts to further strengthen our bilateral relationship and enhance the security and economic growth of our proud nations.”

Chair Cuellar said:“Mexico is a critical partner to the United States and is crucial to our own prosperity. They are not only our economic partner, they are our neighbor and friend. It has been 25 years since we ratified NAFTA, and now it is our time to update this trade agreement to reflect our 21st-century economy. As Chairman of the U.S.-Mexico Interparliamentary Group, it is my mission to build and strengthen the current relationship between the U.S. and Mexico government by passing the USMCA this year. Under the new trade agreement, the USMCA requires stronger enforcements on labor and environmental provisions that were not considered previously.

“I will continue to work across the aisle to pass the USMCA to improve our relationship with Mexico and strengthen our economy for the American people.  I want to thank Congressman McCaul, the rest of the Congressional members of IPG, and the delegation from Mexico for productive discussions to bolster our shared economic interests.”

United States Representatives

  • Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), Homeland Security Committee
  • Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees
  • Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), House Administration and Judiciary Committees
  • Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52), Budget and Energy Committees
  • Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Science, Space and Technology Committee
  • Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Financial Services and Judiciary Committee
  • Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53), Armed Services Committee  

Mexico Representatives

  • Mario Martín Delgado Carrillo, Mexico City, 13th District
  • Teresita de Jesús Vargas Meraz, Chihuahua, 2nd District
  • Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, 4th Electoral Region
  • Juan Carlos Romero Hicks, Guanajuato, 4th District
  • Xavier Azuara Zúñiga, 2nd Electoral Region
  • María Lucero Saldaña Pérez, 4th Electoral Region
  • Héctor Yunes Landa, 3rd Electoral Region
  • María del Pilar Lozano Mac Donald, 2nd Electoral Region
  • Óscar González Yáñez, State of Mexico, 27th District
  • Alfredo Femat Bañuelos, Zacatecas, 3rd District
  • Nayeli Arlen Fernández Cruz, 4th Electoral Region
  • Verónica Beatriz Juárez Piña, 1st Electoral Region
  • Iván Pérez Negrón, 10th District

Championing the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement in Congress

Congressmen McCaul and Cuellar have been working across party lines to pass the USMCA. The Congressmen have been working with Mexican officials to address Mexico’s improved labor standards. Earlier this fall, Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, released a letter that outlines a budget proposal to enforce Mexico’s improved and historic labor reforms.

Strengthening Security Cooperation

Security cooperation continues to be a top priority for the U.S. and Mexico. The U.S. has provided close to $3 billion dollars in security assistance to Mexico over the last 10 years to support Mexico’s efforts to  address the challenges that affect millions of people in both of our nations. However, security challenges continue to evolve as we face the rise in fentanyl and opioids coming from China and through Mexico to the U.S., contributing to our nation’s deadly opioid epidemic. At this weekend’s IPG, both the U.S and Mexico reaffirmed our commitment to addressing this issue and collaborating on a comprehensive counter-narcotics strategy.

Investing in a Prosperous and Stable Central America

Lack of employment and economic insecurity continue to drive irregular migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to Mexico and the U.S. This year’s surge in irregular migration from the region highlighted the challenges that this places on the U.S. and Mexico’s border resources. The U.S. and Mexico have an opportunity to provide assistance that will improve stability in the region and address the driving forces of migration.

This year Congressman McCaul and Rep. Eliot Engel introduced the bipartisan Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act that authorizes $577 million in U.S. assistance for the region and requires the State Department to develop a strategy to address the drivers of migration. This strategy includes evaluation mechanisms to ensure that our assistance is effective and meeting stated objectives. This legislation passed the House in July and is currently awaiting passage in the Senate.

Strengthening Economic Opportunities in Border Region

Congressmen McCaul and Cuellar have been strong advocates in promoting economic cooperation between the United States and Mexico in the 116th Congress. The Congressmen co-sponsored the United States-Mexico Economic Partnership Act, which will strengthen professional development and economic growth in the energy, health, entrepreneurship, and education sectors.

The Congressmen also co-sponsored the United States-Mexico Tourism Improvement Act, which will help benefit the tourism industries in both countries. The bill seeks to reinvigorate spending by Mexican tourists in the U.S., which declined in 2017, after peaking at $20.6 billion in 2016. Mexican tourism to the United States peaked at nearly 19 million visitors in 2016, constituting 1 in 4 of all international tourists.

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