Representative Mike Levin Statement on USMCA Trade Agreement and Funding for Tijuana River Valley Pollution
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) issued the following statement on the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), which includes significant federal funding that Levin and his San Diego colleagues secured to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley (TRV):
“I am encouraged that an agreement has been reached on a new trade pact with Mexico and Canada, which includes significant federal resources that I fought for to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. This environmental issue has plagued our region for generations and this funding will take major strides in helping us address health and ecological challenges we face. Along with my colleagues, I made it clear to the Trump administration and House Democratic leadership that it is long past time that we make robust investments in cleaning up polluted water that flows over the border.
“I am also pleased to see the agreement includes strong protections for workers, as well as improved labor and enforcement standards. While I intend to support this agreement, USMCA is far from perfect. I am disappointed that the deal fails to meaningfully address climate change and include stricter environmental standards. The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time, and future trade agreements must take stronger steps to address environmental priorities.
“Ultimately, I believe that the USMCA – with committed resources to address TRV – will improve the quality of life for workers and businesses in my district, and I look forward to supporting the agreement in the House.”
The USMCA includes a new authorization of the North American Development Bank and funding for EPA grants under the Border Water Infrastructure Program to address pollution on the U.S.-Mexico border. The agreement closely mirrors legislation introduced by Representative Levin earlier this year, the Border Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, and will include an appropriation of $300 million, which will be dispersed at $75 million per year over four years.
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