Lone Star lawmakers call on Mexico U.S. Ambassador to 'stand tall for Texans'

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Houston) is joining in on the effort led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-San Angelo) to call on U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar to rise up for farmers, ranchers and the energy industry in Texas.

A press release issued by the Office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) alleges Mexico is engaging in discriminatory actions that violate the USMCA, according to the U.S. Senate website. 

"Mexico is violating the USMCA and taking advantage of Texas in the process. Proud to lead a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the recently-appointed @USAmbMex urging him to hold Mexico's feet-to-the-fire in ensuring fair trade for our agriculture and energy producers in Texas," Pfluger said in an Oct. 19 tweet. 

According to the press release, the bipartisan letter included signatures from the following representatives:

Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Michael C. Burgess (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX), Roger Williams (R-TX), Brian Babin (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Van Taylor (R-TX), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Ronny L. Jackson (R-TX), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Pete Sessions (R-TX).

The letter to Salazar reads, "As you begin your new role, we respectfully request you raise serious concerns voiced by America's energy producers and continue to champion the strong agriculture provision included in the USMCA," according to Pfluger's tweet. 

McCaul posted on Oct. 19 on Twitter to display his support with his fellow Texans. He said he was "proud to join Pfluger in standing up for Texas farmers, ranchers and our energy industry."

“Mexico has taken several actions that discriminate against American energy producers and favor SOEs [state owned enterprises]," the letter said, according the press release. "This includes the recent modifications to the Hydrocarbons Law, which allows Mexican officials the power to suspend and revoke key permits for private operations. Most recently, the government’s proposed constitutional reforms would increase state control of the electricity industry and severely limit private investment. These steps, among others, harm our critical trading partnership with Mexico and potentially violate key tenets of the USMCA.

“Proper implementation of the USMCA is a top priority and the U.S. must engage at all levels of government to ensure that the American people can reap the full benefits from this important trade agreement.”