Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
AGOA has been the cornerstone of America’s partnership with Africa for nearly twenty-five years. At a moment when the White House is actively undermining that relationship, while fueling chaos across the continent, leveling IEEPA tariffs on the world’s poorest countries, and trafficking in dangerous rhetoric that demeans African people, it is more important than ever that Congress show we remain committed to our allies.
This isn’t the bill I would have written. We are not naïve to ongoing challenges around labor rights and human rights, and certainly, TAA should’ve been included. But the moment is too grave to let it pass us by. We cannot allow our economic and diplomatic ties with Africa to languish under the cruelty of this administration. They are extorting those with the least to give and that’s just not who we are.
My commitment to expanding TAA and advancing policies that strengthen worker rights is iron clad, and we all know there’s a long way between the Committee and the floor. I plan to use that time working on the reauthorization of TAA for this Congress. When our workers thrive, our economies thrive, and it’s a disappointment, though not a surprise, that Republicans refuse to meet that moment. Our global competitiveness depends on investing in our allies and our workers—not abandoning them.
Unfortunately, our Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member couldn’t be here today, but I want to enter her statement into the record.
With that, I yield the balance of my time to Ranking Member Sewell.
