How the midterms could impact US-Mexico relations

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHere's the one-sentence version: the midterm elections here could give Mexico more friends in Washington who want a steady partnership.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo an American election, and Mexico is watching the results like a neighbor watching a moving truck.

3. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's about right. The Hill reports that the midterms could put more people in Congress who value a stable North American partnership.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorStable. That's the whole ask?

5. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorStable is the word in the report. It's the angle The Hill is pushing, so let's call it one view of how this could go.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOkay, but what happened exactly? Nobody voted yet, did they?

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRight, no results yet. This is analysis of what the midterms could mean, and the editors' angle is trade and border policy.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo how did we get here? Why does Mexico care who wins a House seat in another state?

9. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBecause Congress has a say in the rules that touch trade and the border, and the two countries share both, every single day.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLike a shared fence, where one neighbor keeps changing the paint rules.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd the neighbor has a say in how big the fence is. Who does this affect? Anyone whose job or products cross that line.

12. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe reporting doesn't give numbers, so I'll just say a lot of lunches, probably.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorCareful, we only know what's reported. The data doesn't say how many jobs or businesses are involved, and it's not clear yet.

14. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorFair. So what are the competing views? Is anyone in Washington arguing the other way?

15. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSure, there are different views in both parties on trade and the border, and each side says its approach protects Americans best.

16. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd both say the other side's plan breaks something.

17. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's the argument in a nutshell. Mexico, for its part, is hoping for lawmakers who want a steady working relationship.

18. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo what comes after the vote?

19. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe races themselves, and then which lawmakers end up chairing the committees that handle trade and border policy.

20. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo the whole relationship waits on a ballot box. I'm rating it. Warranty: guaranteed until the next election.

21. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd the fine print?

22. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's in Congress, and nobody reads it.

23. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo again, the short version: the midterms may decide how friendly Washington feels toward Mexico, and nobody knows yet.