Salazar Co-Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Key Pillar of Haiti’s Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) co-introduced legislation to support one of Haiti’s key industries by renewing the vital Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) for ten years, a critical move during a tumultuous and unstable time for the country and the Caribbean region. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is leading companion legislation in the Senate.
“In the middle of a crisis of biblical proportions in Haiti, it is vital that businesses remain in the country to provide jobs, growth, and stability,” said Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar. “The HOPE/HELP trade programs employ over 10,000 people in Haiti, and I am fighting to renew these programs for another 10 years. Congress must ensure these policies continue for the good of the Haitian people and stability in the region.”
Haiti is currently undergoing a political and economic crisis of biblical proportions. Over 2,200 people died in the August 14, 2021 earthquake and damage to Haiti’s economy and infrastructure is widespread.
The HELP Extension Act will give the Haitian economy a chance to stabilize while authorities continue to rebuild by reauthorizing the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) apparel import for ten additional years, through 2035. Textile and apparel imports from Haiti to the United States make up over 90% of total imports from that country and represent approximately 11.5% of Haitian GDP. The entire textile industry in Haiti employs almost 30,000 people.
This program is critical not only to promote the economic security of our hemisphere but will prevent these jobs and income from going to China.
As the representative for the City of Miami, the Gateway to the Americas, Congresswoman Salazar is directly engaged on issues of strategic and economic importance in Haiti. She has sponsored legislation to reduce gang violence in Haiti through the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act. She was also a leading cosponsor for the HELP Extension Act during her first term in Congress.
“By extending the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act, the United States can send an important message of support to our friends and neighbors in Haiti who are dealing with a horrific humanitarian crisis as a result of gang violence and political instability. This legislation is important for our economy, as it will continue the work Congress is doing to near-shore our supply chains and diversify away from adversarial trading partners like China while helping our Haitian neighbors. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to build bipartisan support for renewing this important trade program,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH).
“I'm proud to co-sponsor the HELP Extension Act, which, alongside the HOPE Act, sends a resounding message of support to our friends and neighbors in Haiti in its crisis brought by violence and instability. This legislation aids our economy, reinforces our commitment to Haiti, and aligns with our efforts to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on challenging trading partners like China. Reintroducing this bill is crucial during this critical moment in Haiti's history, and we must ensure this program does not expire,” said Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL).
“To create long-term stability in Haiti, there must first be a solid foundation for economic opportunity and growth. The HOPE/HELP trade preference program has helped do just this, boosting the apparel sector and spurring job creation across the country. At a time when Haiti finds itself plagued by uncertainty, this program must continue uninterrupted,” said Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Co-Chair of the Haiti Caucus.
“NY-17 has one of the largest Haitian diasporas in the country. Many of my constituents still have family in Haiti. As the country continues to struggle with violent crime and political unrest, it is critical that we support the Haitian people and help provide them with economic stability during this tumultuous time. That is why I’m proud to co-lead the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Extension Act, which will extend duty free status for certain Haitian exports. Not only will this uplift Haiti’s economy, it will decrease U.S. dependency on Chinese goods. That’s something we can all support and I look forward to working with my colleagues to help the HELP Extension Act become law,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY).
“I have traveled to Haiti numerous times as a medical missionary. As such, I am in frequent communication with those on the ground in Haiti who continue to share stories of the utter chaos enveloping the country. I know firsthand that helping vulnerable nations aids in establishing prosperity and thus creates stability. Such interventions begin by lifting their economy and bolstering their industries from the ground up. In light of the continued chaos and horrific violence that has consumed the nation in recent months, it is important now more than ever that we renew the HOPE/HELP program,” said Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC).
BACKGROUND:
In response to an economic downturn in Haiti in 2005, Congress amended the Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership and Encouragement (HOPE) Act to remove duties from Haitian apparel exports to the United States. Congress followed up in 2010 with the passage of the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. HELP broadened the types of goods eligible for duty free status to over 5,000 types of apparel and footwear. Together, both HOPE and HELP apply to roughly 93% of Haitian exports to the U.S. and apparel factories in Haiti are a critical source of stable economic employment in the country.
Both HOPE and HELP only extended these trade benefits to 2025. Due to the length of time it takes to formalize trade negotiations with Haiti, an extension should be passed this Congress to ensure there is no gap in duty free status for these goods.
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