H.R.6504 — Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act
House Roll Call
H.R.6504
| Bill | H.R.6504 — Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended |
| Vote type | 2/3 Yea-And-Nay |
| Result | Passed |
| Totals | Yea 345 / Nay 45 / Present 0 / Not Voting 41 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 146 | 45 | 0 | 27 |
| D | 199 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Bill Analysis
H.R. 6504 – Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (119th Congress)
H.R. 6504 extends and modifies U.S. trade preference programs for Haiti, primarily by lengthening the period during which certain Haitian textile and apparel exports may enter the United States duty‑free or at reduced duties. It amends existing statutory authorities governing the Haiti HOPE, HOPE II, and HELP Acts, which are layered on top of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA).
Core provisions
- Extends expiration dates for Haiti-specific textile and apparel preferences, which otherwise phase out on fixed statutory timelines. The bill continues duty‑free or preferential treatment for qualifying apparel assembled in Haiti from U.S., regional, or certain third‑country yarns and fabrics.
- Maintains or extends special tariff rate quotas and value‑added rules that allow a defined volume or value of Haitian apparel to enter the U.S. market under more generous rules of origin than those applied to other partners.
- Preserves cumulation rules that let producers in Haiti use inputs from specified countries (e.g., the U.S., Dominican Republic, and other eligible partners) while still qualifying for preferences.
Funding and authorities
- The bill does not create new direct spending programs; it operates through tariff preferences administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under authorities delegated by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of the Treasury.
- It continues the authority of the President and USTR to implement, monitor, and, where applicable, suspend benefits based on statutory eligibility criteria (e.g., labor rights, rule of law, market‑based reforms).
Affected programs and stakeholders
- Affected programs: Haiti HOPE/HOPE II/HELP preference regimes within the broader CBERA/CBTPA framework.
- Beneficiaries: Haitian apparel manufacturers, workers in Haiti’s export‑oriented garment sector, and U.S. importers and retailers sourcing from Haiti.
- Regulated/conditioned parties: The Government of Haiti (through ongoing eligibility requirements), Haitian producers (compliance with rules of origin and labor standards), and U.S. importers (documentation and verification obligations).
Timelines
- The bill’s central effect is to push out the sunset dates of Haiti’s apparel preferences by several years beyond current law, preserving continuity of benefits and avoiding a near‑term cliff in trade treatment. Specific new termination dates are set in the amended statutory sections.
Yea (345)
K
Ken Calvert
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
S
Scott Franklin
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Nay (45)
Not Voting (41)
E
Eric Swalwell
