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The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is a trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that went into effect on January 1, 1994. The agreement aimed to increase economic integration between the three countries by eliminating trade barriers, such as tariffs and quotas, and creating a more level playing field for businesses.

But who was responsible for passing this landmark agreement? Let`s take a closer look.

In the United States, the president has the authority to negotiate and sign trade agreements with foreign countries. However, before a trade agreement can go into effect, it must be approved by Congress. This means that both the House of Representatives and the Senate must pass the agreement by a majority vote.

In the case of NAFTA, negotiations began in 1990 under President George H.W. Bush. After several rounds of negotiations, the agreement was signed by President Bill Clinton on December 8, 1993. However, before NAFTA could go into effect, it had to be approved by Congress.

The vote on NAFTA in the House of Representatives was held on November 17, 1993. It passed by a slim margin of 234 to 200, with 132 Democrats voting in favor and 102 opposed. In the Senate, the vote took place on November 20, 1993. It passed by a larger margin of 61 to 38, with 34 Democrats and 27 Republicans voting in favor.

So, who was responsible for passing NAFTA? Ultimately, it was a collaborative effort between Presidents Bush and Clinton, Congress, and leaders from Canada and Mexico. While the agreement was controversial and faced opposition from some lawmakers and labor unions, it ultimately passed with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

Today, NAFTA remains a hotly debated topic, with some arguing that it has led to job losses and decreased wages in certain industries, while others claim that it has boosted economic growth and created new opportunities for businesses. Regardless of one`s stance on NAFTA, there is no denying its impact on the North American economy and its role in shaping modern trade policies.