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The approval process for the revised NAFTA agreement been delayed by the government shutdown. Pelosi's Democrats might delay it a whole lot longer, conceivably even into the next presidential term: thestar.com/news/world/201…
Pelosi hasn't spoken definitively about timing. A senior Dem aide says members of the caucus are still getting educated on the agreement, and "the timing will depend on that process." One expert: “What is the incentive for Nancy Pelosi to put this up on the floor of the House?”
Some history: HW Bush signed NAFTA in '92; Clinton said he'd grant final approval only with new labour and enviro provisions added; when he took office in '93, there were months of tough additional negotiations with CA and MEX. Very possible we see more talks on Trump's deal too.
I spoke to Canada's chief negotiator from the original NAFTA, who says the hardest part of those negotiations "was a part that wasn’t even supposed to be part of the negotiations" - it was dealing with US Congress's implementation "shenanigans." In summary, a long way to go here.
.@jbendery says Pelosi told a small group of reporters that the debate over the new NAFTA is "not as contentious" as some other trade fights, though she repeated her previous demand for stronger enforcement provisions on labour and the environment:
Via HuffPost's @jbendery, Pelosi told her and others that Dems' "concerns fall into the area of workers, environment, and some concerns about pharmaceuticals." She said: 1) It's been "lower-key" than other trade fights, and Lighthizer has been "very attentive" to their concerns.
2) The deal still needs improvement, and "no matter how good it is, if it doesn't have enforcement, it's just a conversation." Pelosi added: "But I think ‑‑ I mean, I voted for NAFTA the first time, and I can just tell you, I can still feel the heat."
