White House, Democrats in Talks to End Holdup on USMCA Approval
- Pelosi designated Democrats for issue-based working groups
- Lighthizer attends Senate GOP lunch Tuesday to discuss trade
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The White House and congressional Democrats have opened talks to resolve outstanding details that have thus far held up the new North American trade deal, according to people briefed on discussions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and trade chief Robert Lighthizer.
Pelosi told Lighthizer that she will designate members of her caucus to be working group representatives to deal with labor, enforcement, environment and pharmaceutical provisions of the deal, two people briefed on the discussions said. The groups will likely consist of Democrats from the Ways and Means Committee, the congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus to ensure they can build consensus within the party, one of the people said.