WASHINGTON, DC— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 6500, the AGOA Extension Act, and H.R. 6504, the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act:
“Tonight’s votes are a win for two vehicles that have been instrumental to unlocking critical partnerships in trade between America and our allies in Africa and Haiti. As the Administration walks away from international agreements, targets our trading partners with illegal IEEPA tariffs, and makes things personal with attacks on the African and Haitian people, Congress tonight took an overdue step in reaffirming our nation’s commitment to our allies and to sensible trade policy that builds jobs and sparks economies.
“Global challenges in labor and human rights must continue to motivate our work to reinforce our alliances and global competitiveness. While Republicans failed to strengthen these bills by expanding TAA and advancing policies that protect and empower workers, Democrats will continue fighting for a fairer trade strategy that invests in our partnerships and lives up to our values. We cannot allow our economic and diplomatic ties to further languish under the cruelty of an Administration hell-bent on extorting those with the least to give. Democrats know that’s not who we are, and that our global competitiveness requires us to invest in our partnerships and our workers, not abandon them.”
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