[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, the House passed an African Growth and 
Opportunity Act extension by voice vote last week. This is an important 
bill for the continued economic development of sub-Saharan Africa.
  To date, AGOA, as it is known--the African Growth and Opportunity 
Act--has created 150,000 jobs, some believe even many more than that.
  We cleared that House bill on our side of the aisle last week. We are 
waiting for some other clearances from the other side of the aisle.
  Initially, we were going to ask UC this evening to call up the bill 
and pass the House bill today. I think we are making tremendous 
progress. We have had discussions on the floor on both sides of the 
aisle today, and therefore I will withhold making that unanimous 
consent request. I am very hopeful, based on progress, that with some 
further discussions we will be able to clear this bill tomorrow.
  Our intention is to clear the bill or, if not, to formally ask 
unanimous consent to pass the bill before we adjourn for the July 4 
recess, given the importance of this bill.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, if the majority leader will yield.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I will just confirm the conversations 
that the majority leader alluded to. I think we have made real 
progress, certainly, on both sides of the aisle. There are a couple of 
other consultations required, but it would be my hope that before the 
end of the week we would be able to complete our work on the AGOA bill.
  This is an important piece of legislation. It has demonstrated its 
job-building capacity in Africa in particular. We are very hopeful that 
we can continue that success in the years ahead by reauthorizing this 
important legislation. So we will have more to say about this tomorrow.