[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IRS BUREAUCRACY REDUCTION AND JUDICIAL REVIEW ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 2015

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Trade 
Preferences Extension Act, which will extend important trade 
preferences to our partners around the world.
  First, this bill extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(AGOA) until September 2025. This will expand preferences and reduce 
trade barriers with African countries and foster U.S. investment in the 
region. It will also help to promote social and economic development 
and empower farmers and women through sustainable agriculture 
assistance.
  The bill also retroactively renews and updates the General System of 
Preferences (GSP), which reduces trade barriers by allowing various 
products from developing countries to enter into the U.S. duty-free. 
This program expired in July 2013 and I am glad to see that it has 
finally been renewed.
  It also extends trade preferences with Haiti and ensures that we 
continue to assist Haiti's recovery and support its economy. In 
addition, the bill will also help outerwear and footwear imports by 
reducing duty rates and creating a new category of product that will 
include protective active footwear.
  I am also pleased that it strikes the Medicare pay-for found in the 
Trade Adjustment Assistance package and replaces it with a different 
offset that I helped identify. In addition, I am pleased that this bill 
will support community banks by reducing burdensome reporting 
requirements. These measures represent a significant effort to reduce 
trade barriers and support our partners around the world and I urge a 
YES vote. I hope that the Senate will pass this legislation 
expeditiously and send it to the President's desk.

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