Trade deal is a quandary for Democrats

The Trump administration reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico on revisions to the North American Free Trade Agreement last year, but the deal still needs the approval of Congress.

As lawmakers return to Washington today, the question for Democrats is whether to back the deal and give President Trump a victory in the midst of the impeachment investigation.

The details: The deal is more progressive than traditional Republican views on trade and includes measures that Democrats have long sought. Those include requiring more of cars’ parts to be made in North America, rolling back a special system of arbitration for corporations and strengthening Mexican labor unions.

Another angle: Lawyers for Mr. Trump said on Sunday that they wouldn’t participate in the House Judiciary Committee’s first public impeachment hearing this week.