Yesterday, the Representative María Elvira Salazar ( R-FL ) and the Representative Frederica S. Wilson ( D-FL ) presented the Haitian Economic Elevation Program Extension Act ( HELP ). The senators Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) and Bill cassidy ( R-LA ) presented the supplemental bill in the United States Senate.
The HELP Extension Act extends several beneficial trade provisions between the United States and Haiti of the Haitian Economic Elevation Program ( HELP ) for an additional 10 years, providing a fundamental source of formal employment for Haiti through the textile industry.
"Only in 2021, the Haitian people have suffered a devastating earthquake, the murder of their president, emboldened criminal gangs, and a growing economic crisis," Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar said. "The HELP Extension Law will allow the Haitian people to improve their livelihoods and rebuild their country by ensuring that the more than 60,000 Haitians in the textile industry continue to enjoy the benefits of unrestricted trade with the United States. As one of our closest allies in the Western Hemisphere, we have an obligation to guarantee the well-being of our Haitian neighbors. So I am proud to present this crucial bill."
"I am incredibly proud to be a primary co-sponsor of the Haitian Economic Elevation Program Extension Act, that will help boost the economic stability of the Haitian garment industry and is very necessary in a nation where there is so much economic and political insecurity", said Representative Frederica S. Wilson, who represents one of the largest Haitian communities in the United States. "Lothing exports represent a significant part of the nation's exports and have created tens of thousands of jobs. This extension will create even more".
“ As Haiti continues to face political corruption, natural disasters and rampant crime, it is clear that it is in our national security's interest to support our regional neighbor ”, Senator Marco Rubio said. “ This bipartisan bill will help strengthen Haiti's economy and benefit the United States by decreasing our nation's dependence on products made from forced labor in China. Our mutual benefit will foster security and prosperity in our hemisphere ”.
“ Families in Haiti are desperate for repeated natural disasters and riots ”, Senator Bill Cassidy said. "Expanding commercial benefits is good for the United States, providing the hungry Haitian people with the necessary resources, and helping to stop the island's exodus".
The HELP Extension Act is good for the US economy. USA and our national security will help improve livelihoods and opportunities for the Haitian people and prevent regional manufacturing jobs from going to China. The bill will help provide a stable economic base, which is also key to preventing the recruitment of Haitian youth into criminal gangs that have taken advantage of the current instability in the country.
List of original co-sponsors:
- Representative Frederica S. Wilson ( FL-24 )
- Representative Rick Crawford ( AR-01 )
- Representative Carlos Gimenez ( FL-26 )
- Representative Mondaire Jones ( NY-17 )
- Representative Greg Murphy ( NC-03 )
- Representative Brian Fitzpatrick ( PA-01 )
- Representative Stephanie Murphy ( FL-07 )
- Representative Mario Diaz-Balart ( FL-25 )
- Representative Louie Gohmert ( TX-01 )
- Representative John Rutherford ( FL-04 )
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
BACKGROUND:
Imports of textiles and clothing from Haiti to the United States represent more than 90% of total imports from that country and represent approximately 11.5% of Haiti's GDP. Haiti's textile industry employs almost 60,000 people.
In response to an economic recession in Haiti in 2005, Congress amended the Hemispheric Opportunity Act through Association and Development ( HOPE ) to eliminate tariffs on Haitian clothing exports to the United States. Congress followed up in 2010 with the passage of the Haitian Economic Elevation Program Act ( HELP ), in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
HELP expanded the types of assets eligible for tax-free status to more than 5,000 types of clothing and footwear. Together, both HOPE and HELP apply to approximately 93% of Haitian exports to the US. USA and clothing factories in Haiti are a fundamental source of stable economic employment in the country. Both HOPE and HELP only offer these commercial benefits until 2025. Congress must pass this legislation now to avoid a gap in the program, which could stem from lengthy trade negotiations.
Original source can be found here.
