[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2952 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2952

           To extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 27 (legislative day, September 22), 2023

  Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
                  referred to the Committee on Finance

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
           To extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``AGOA Extension Act of 2023''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Since its enactment in 2000, the African Growth and 
        Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) has been the 
        centerpiece of trade relations between the United States and 
        sub-Saharan Africa and has enhanced trade, investment, job 
        creation, and democratic institutions throughout Africa.
            (2) Trade and investment, as facilitated by the African 
        Growth and Opportunity Act, promote economic growth, 
        development, poverty reduction, democracy, the rule of law, and 
        stability in sub-Saharan Africa.
            (3) Since its initial enactment, the trade preference 
        program under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which has 
        bipartisan support, has played an integral role in creating 
        economic opportunity in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as 
        supporting nearly 120,000 jobs in the United States.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) it is in the interest of the United States to engage 
        and compete in emerging markets in sub-Saharan African 
        countries, to boost trade and investment between the United 
        States and sub-Saharan African countries, and to renew the 
        African Growth and Opportunity Act;
            (2) the long-term economic security of the United States is 
        enhanced by strong economic and political ties with the 
        fastest-growing economies in the world, many of which are in 
        sub-Saharan Africa;
            (3) it is a goal of the United States to further integrate 
        sub-Saharan African countries into the global economy, 
        stimulate economic development in Africa, and diversify sources 
        of growth in sub-Saharan Africa;
            (4) the elimination of barriers to trade and investment in 
        sub-Saharan Africa, including high tariffs, forced localization 
        requirements, restrictions on investment, and customs barriers, 
        will create opportunities for workers, businesses, farmers, and 
        ranchers in the United States and sub-Saharan African 
        countries; and
            (5) extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act for 20 
        years provides stability for all parties involved and creates 
        more time before Congress must again address its expiration.

SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

    (a) In General.--Section 506B of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 
2466b) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``section 506A(c)'' and inserting ``section 
        506A(e)''; and
            (2) by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting 
        ``September 30, 2045''.
    (b) African Growth and Opportunity Act.--
            (1) In general.--Section 112(g) of the African Growth and 
        Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 3721(g)) is amended by striking 
        ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2045''.
            (2) Extension of regional apparel article program.--Section 
        112(b)(3)(A) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 
        U.S.C. 3721(b)(3)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``21 succeeding'' 
                and inserting ``41 succeeding''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ``September 30, 
                2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2045''.
            (3) Extension of third-country fabric program.--Section 
        112(c)(1) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (19 U.S.C. 
        3721(c)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 
                2045'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 
                30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2045''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking 
                ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 
                2045''.
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