CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT & DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES LEAD LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE U.S. TRADE PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR HAITI

For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps

September 10, 2025 202-813-2793

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT & DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES LEAD LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE U.S. TRADE PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR HAITI

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett shared the following statement on the introduction of the HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act of 2025, H.R.5209:

"I am pleased to re-introduce this timely legislation with my fellow Democratic colleagues, Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and 18 other Democratic members. This bill will extend the U.S. preferential duty treatment program provided for Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) of 1983 for an additional ten years, through 2035. The bill also authorizes new technical assistance and capacity building in Haiti and contains additional authorities for enforcement of internationally recognized labor standards and the labor standards of Haiti."

Haiti is experiencing a humanitarian, political and economic crisis and needs both economic and political stability. Haitian production and jobs would be benefited by receiving the certainty of longer-term trading access to the United States.

"Haiti is facing serious challenges right now and passing Congresswoman Plaskett's bill is critical to provide the stability and support they need. We must renew and reform the U.S. preferential duty treatment program to address labor rights violations in Haiti. Doing so, will give Haitian workers and families the long-term certainty necessary to build a stronger, more hopeful future." said Ranking Member Linda Sánchez.

The HOPE for Haitian Prosperity Act would extend the period during which imports of certain Haitian-manufactured textile and apparel, and other goods produced in Haiti are eligible for duty-free treatment from 2025 to 2035 and contains provisions to authorize additional technical assistance and capacity building in Haiti to close utilization gaps in the program found by the International Trade Commission. Without Congressional action, this preference program will expire in September 2025, next month.

Congresswoman Plaskett also shared, "I continue to emphasize the great importance of U.S. trade engagement in the Caribbean region. The United States has a responsibility to support its Caribbean neighbors and, while the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE Act) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (HELP Act) have helped create support for the Haitian economy, this legislation seeks to establish more comprehensive and diverse trade engagement between the U.S. and Haiti, including by uplifting Haitian workers with high labor standards.

"It is my hope that this legislation creates the foundation for stronger bilateral economic ties, greater certainty for investors that these benefits will be there for Haiti over the long term, and the economic security that is needed for Haiti to rebuild from the ground up and emerge more prosperous and resilient.

"I would like to thank Reps. Linda Sanchez Linda Sanchez, Yvette Clarke, Maxine Waters, Susan DelBene, Don Beyer, Judy Chu, Teri Sewell, Gwen Moore, Tom Suozzi, Jimmy Gomez, Dwight Evans, Jimmy Panetta, Steven Horsford, John Larsen, Gabe Amo, Hank Johnson, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Kweisi Mfume and Valarie Foushee for their support in co-leading this important bill. This legislation, if passed out of the Ways and Means Committee, would proceed to the House floor for a full vote. If passed there, would need to be voted on in the Senate. If passed in the House and the Senate, it would then be sent to the President's desk to be signed into law."

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