Rep. Marc Pocan said concern about pharmaceuticals “goes beyond caucus members and we’re going to be taking a very strong lead on that.” | Lauren Victoria Burke, File/AP Photo agriculture Liberal wing of Democrats wants changes to NAFTA replacement

The Congressional Progressive Caucus wants President Donald Trump to reopen the new North American trade agreement to address the caucus' concerns — though the group has not officially opposed the deal.

Rep. Mark Pocan, co-chair of the caucus, first announced on Tuesday that the group was taking a position "against the current proposal." The Wisconsin Democrat later backtracked, saying that members of the group have not taken an official position but "we have serious concerns with the text of the USMCA in its current form."


Pocan added that he and Progressive Caucus co-chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) believe the deal "should be reopened, so that we can deliver a progressive trade deal in line with our principles."

"It’s no secret that any trade deal will need the support of the Progressive Caucus to pass the House — so we expect USTR Lighthizer to work with us to make the necessary changes," Pocan said.

Some House Democrats have been staking out their positions on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in recent weeks. Prevailing concerns have centered on how the pact’s labor and environmental standards will be enforced. Several lawmakers have also been critical of intellectual property protections that they say could lock in high prescription drug prices.

“We want to make sure we have a bill that works for labor, for the environment, for consumers. We especially find the provisions around pharma very egregious," Pocan told reporters earlier Tuesday.

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Pocan said their concern about pharmaceuticals “goes beyond caucus members and we’re going to be taking a very strong lead on that.” He also acknowledged that there’s a “slight improvement” in the labor language compared with NAFTA, but that it would be “meaningless” without strong enforcement mechanisms.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus opposition could complicate White House efforts to get USMCA approved by Congress, given that the group has more than 90 members.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with the guidance from her party members, will play a lead role in determining the future of the agreement. So far, she has echoed Democratic concerns but has not offered a definitive position.

Under so-called fast-track rules, each chamber will hold a straight up-or-down vote, but lawmakers won't be able to attach amendments once the bill is introduced. Pelosi could shut down consideration of the deal by removing it from the "fast track" procedure Congress agreed to.

Lighthizer is scheduled to meet with the House Democratic caucus on Wednesday for a full presentation on the deal.

Alice Ollstein contributed to this report.