[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 164 (Tuesday, September 22, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H4654-H4657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXTENSION OF THE CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 991) to extend certain provisions of the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act until September 30, 2030, and for other purposes, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 991

       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 ``Extension of the Caribbean 
     Basin Economic Recovery Act''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF THE CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY 
                   ACT.

       Section 213 of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act 
     (19 U.S.C. 2703) is amended as follows:
       (1) Extension for certain knit apparel articles.--In clause 
     (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A)--
       (A) in subclause (II)(cc), by striking ``September 30, 
     2020'' and inserting ``September 30, 2030''; and
       (B) in subclause (IV)(dd), by striking ``September 30, 
     2020'' and inserting ``September 30, 2030''.
       (2) Extension of limitation with respect to certain other 
     apparel articles.--In clause (iv)(II) of such subsection, by 
     striking ``18'' and inserting ``28''.
       (3) Extension of transition period.--In subsection 
     (b)(5)(D)(i), by striking ``September 30, 2020'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2030''.

     SEC. 3. CUSTOMS USER FEES.

       (a) In General.--Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated 
     Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 
     58c(j)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2029'' 
     and inserting ``October 21, 2029''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``September 30, 
     2029'' and inserting ``October 21, 2029''.
       (b) Rate for Merchandise Processing Fees.--Section 503 of 
     the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation 
     Act (Public Law 112-41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) is amended by 
     striking ``September 30, 2029'' and inserting ``October 21, 
     2029''.

     SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H4655]]

  

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, let me begin by commending Representatives Sewell and 
Wenstrup for taking a leadership role on this program. Last year, they 
introduced this bill to reauthorize the Caribbean Basin Trade 
Partnership Act, which expires at the end of the month. They helped 
organize a terrific hearing before the Ways and Means Trade 
Subcommittee to be able to focus on this.
  It is imperative that the Senate act quickly on this bill and that we 
get it done before September 30.
  In today's political climate, it is important to highlight those few 
areas of bipartisan consensus. The CBTPA has historically enjoyed that 
bipartisan and bicameral support, in part because of the shared history 
and close ties to the United States with the Caribbean Basin region.
  There are about 13 million Americans who have Caribbean ancestors. 
They represent 4 percent of the American population.
  The Caribbean, in particular Haiti, played a critical role in the 
American Revolutionary War, where hundreds of Haitians fought for 
America's independence.
  Years later, Haiti would defend the French and become the first Black 
republic, influencing the rise of abolitionist and anti-colonial 
movements all over the world, especially here in the United States. 
Haiti's sacrifices and unyielding resolve continue to inspire millions.
  Sadly, the United States, under the influence of slave-holding 
interests, actively worked against this fledgling new republic. They 
were threatened by the specter of a slave uprising and Black 
independent government.
  The United States was hostile to Haiti for years, and worked to 
undermine its success. Rather than be a constructive partner to help 
this fledgling republic, the United States interfered, and more 
importantly, failed to embrace the emergence of the first Black 
republic.
  Now, there are some admitted problems of governance, poverty, and 
corruption in Haiti and in the region. I personally strongly believe 
that some of those difficulties that Haiti experiences to this day are 
the result of failures of American policy.
  That is why this Caribbean Basin Initiative is so important. It is an 
opportunity to continue to strengthen Haiti's economy and our working 
relationship.
  In 2001, after that devastating earthquake in Haiti, I joined a 
bipartisan, bicameral delegation to Port-au-Prince to demonstrate the 
ongoing support in Congress to the Haitian people, to understand the 
challenges they face, and demonstrate our commitment to work with the 
Haitian Government to assist with reconstruction efforts.
  Haiti, by design, is the primary beneficiary of the textile and 
apparel preferences under CBTPA, more important now than ever.
  Recently, we heard firsthand at our hearing from witnesses and some 
of our colleagues, including Congresswoman Sewell, about the 
development challenges that persist in the region.
  Like any good trading relationship, we will continue to work to 
improve labor conditions, political stability, and expand economic 
development to all countries in the region.
  Passing this reauthorization is an important step toward those goals.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation and I urge the Senate to act quickly to extend the 
bipartisan program without delay. It is an opportunity for us to 
demonstrate to the country and to ourselves that despite many of the 
challenges, there are things we can do working together to improve the 
conditions.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 991, which extends the 
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act through 2030. This legislation 
enjoys wide bipartisan support, and I want to thank Congresswoman Terri 
Sewell for partnering with me to get this done.
  Madam Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal 
for their cooperation and support of this legislation as well.
  As a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am proud to 
support our Nation's trade preference programs, which bolster further 
economic expansion in truly developing nations and support jobs here in 
America. It is a true win-win scenario.
  In particular, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, or CBTPA, 
accomplishes that goal in the Caribbean, providing trade benefits to 
eight Caribbean nations, most notably, Haiti.
  Furthermore, the program also benefits American businesses and 
workers, a number of whom have created strong, reliable partnerships 
with suppliers in the Caribbean. This partnership helps to add value 
for customers and supports American jobs.
  Also of note, the program requires the use of U.S. yarn, which boosts 
jobs in our cotton and textile industry.
  In my district, Cintas Corporation, which is headquartered in 
Cincinnati, utilizes a strong partnership with Haitian suppliers as 
part of their North American supply chain.
  Finally, as we step back and look at the bigger picture: The CBTPA 
helps American stewardship of the Western Hemisphere, where we want to 
support budding democracies on our doorstep and create mutually 
beneficial economic stability with our neighbors. Our overall trade 
agenda is well served by agreements like the recently passed USMCA, as 
well as these important trade preference programs like the CBTPA.
  Again, I want to thank Congresswoman Sewell for her partnership on 
this issue, as well as Ranking Member Brady and Chairman Neal for their 
support.
  Madam Speaker, this is good, sound policy which stands to benefit 
both Americans and our friendly neighbors in the Caribbean. I urge my 
colleagues to support its passage, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell), who has played an 
instrumental role in this legislation.
  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Blumenauer for 
yielding me the time.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 991, my legislation to reauthorize 
the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my Republican colleague, Brad Wenstrup, for 
his leadership on this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Neal and 
Ranking Member Brady for all of their help.
  Madam Speaker, I especially want to acknowledge my chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Trade, Mr. Blumenauer, for hosting a very meaningful 
hearing on the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement and its 
importance of being reauthorized by September 30 of this year.
  For two decades, the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement has 
been a critical tool to expand our diplomatic and economic relationship 
with countries throughout the Caribbean Basin region. This agreement 
has allowed for duty- and quota-free treatment of products made with 
U.S. goods.
  The liberalization of our trade relationship with these countries has 
strengthened Western Hemisphere supply chains, while providing economic 
development and job creation in the region.
  In 2018, United States exports to CBI countries totalled $13.4 
billion, while imports totaled $6 billion, creating a $7.4 billion 
goods trade surplus for the United States.
  One of those Caribbean Basin countries, Haiti, has had tremendous 
economic benefits by the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act. The 
economic benefits of the CBTPA are essential, with over 90 percent of 
their nearly $1 billion in exports entering the United States with the 
CBTPA or HOPE duty-free treatment. Moreover, the Association of Haitian 
Industries has estimated that the CBTPA, along with the HOPE and HELP 
programs, has created over 50,000 jobs in Haiti, alone.
  The reauthorization of this program ahead of the September 30 
deadline will allow us to continue to strengthen the foundation for 
long-term economic stability, while contributing to our diplomatic and 
security interests.
  Continued economic development in the region is a goal that we should 
all share, and the passage of this legislation will reaffirm the 
commitment of the United States to this objective.

[[Page H4656]]

  The importance of our diplomatic and economic ties with the Caribbean 
Basin countries is highlighted by the strong support for this 
legislation that we receive from the Congressional Black Caucus.
  In a letter of support for H.R. 991 to congressional leadership, the 
CBC aptly pointed out: Millions of Americans have Caribbean ancestry 
and make up important segments of the United States population. Haiti 
is the first Black republic, influencing the rise of abolitionist and 
anticolonial movements all across the world, especially in the United 
States.
  The history and the future for millions of Americans is directly tied 
to the economic prosperity of Caribbean Basin countries, and our 
relationship must reflect this reality.
  Within this context, we also must continue to push our trading 
partners for compliance with key eligibility criteria under the 
agreement, including upholding the rights of workers and combating 
corruption. A lapse in this agreement would jeopardize the economic and 
social well-being of workers in the region.
  Today's step forward to reauthorize this very important trade 
promotion program will allow for continued cooperation and enforcement 
on these critical issues. I look forward to remaining engaged with all 
of the stakeholders to support these goals, including expanding human 
rights and economic prosperity for all.

  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Ambassador of Haiti, Ambassador 
Denis, who testified before the subcommittee, for his eloquence on the 
importance of the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement for Haiti, 
in particular.
  Madam Speaker, I also want to thank all of the representatives from 
the eight Caribbean Basin countries that have come to my office and 
talked to us ad nauseam about how important it is that we extend the 
Caribbean Basin reauthorization.
  As well, Madam Speaker, I would like to also thank Charlie Rangel, 
who was the member of the House Ways and Means Committee who really 
championed this initially, two decades ago. When I took Charlie's 
position on the Ways and Means Committee, he sat me down and told me 
how important it was that we not only reauthorize, but we strengthen 
the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement.
  So this is an important step in reauthorizing this very important 
trade agreement before its September 30 deadline.
  Madam Speaker, I again want to say how proud I am that this agreement 
has huge bipartisan support. The reauthorization of this program would 
not be possible if it had not been for the bipartisan support that my 
colleague from Ohio, Congressman Wenstrup, has so ably provided, a 
partnership in this agreement.
  While debate over U.S. trade policy is often rigorous, the 
reauthorization of the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Agreement should 
be something that we can all support.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud that this important issue is before us for 
a vote, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this very 
important legislation.
  Again, Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Blumenauer for 
allowing me to speak on this very important measure.

                              {time}  1145

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), a distinguished member of the Ways and Means 
Committee.
  Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Madam Speaker, I thank Ms. Sewell and Dr. Wenstrup 
for taking this on.
  My reason for being here behind the microphone is more than Arizona 
grows an amazingly high-quality cotton and this is one of our markets. 
I think, actually, it is part of a vision a number of us have, and I 
thank Chairman Blumenauer for hopefully sharing this vision, and that 
is thinking of the world post the change of NAFTA, USMCA.
  How do we start to become more hemispheric-centric? Our neighbors, 
particularly our neighbors who do truly still have overwhelming 
poverty, how do we engage in pieces of legislation that make it so we 
can trade with our neighbors, trade with those who are right around us? 
That is what is so powerful about what is being done here.
  Being someone who has spent, not a lot of time but a little time in 
Haiti, you see things that are optimistic, hopeful, and heartbreaking 
at the same time. But these are parts of the building blocks of how we 
build an economic circle of virtue in our region.
  So I am hopeful that we move this forward and the Senate takes it up 
quickly, but I am also hopeful that we start to see this in a more 
holistic vision of we now have a change in our trade agreement with 
Mexico, Canada.
  Now, if we can update our trade agreements with the Caribbean Basin, 
what else can we do to make our region economically prosperous, 
economically fair, economically something that the rest of the world 
will look forward to and say: This is what trade, when it is done 
properly, can bring to people who have actually had really rough times, 
when you think of earthquakes and of hurricanes in the region.
  These are some of the good things, as a country, we can do to our 
brothers and sisters who are our neighbors.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close so I will defer 
to my colleague from Ohio. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I just want to make one final comment. It has been a 
pleasure with this particular issue to work in a bipartisan fashion, 
not only with my friend Congresswoman Sewell, but really with the 
entire committee. I think that we really came together and saw the 
benefits to America and to developing nations as we move forward.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of this 
legislation from the textile, apparel, and footwear industry as well as 
the broader business community.
                                               September 22, 2020.
       Dear Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: On 
     behalf of the undersigned organizations--representing the 
     full spectrum of the textile, apparel, and footwear industry, 
     as well as the broader business community--we urge you to 
     vote YES on H.R. 991--Extension of the Caribbean Basin 
     Economic Recovery Act.
       By extending the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act to 
     September 30, 2030, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act 
     (CBTPA) will also be extended. Since its inception in 2000, 
     CBTPA has become an important element of the effort to 
     develop and facilitate trade within the Caribbean Basin 
     region, most notably with Haiti. Overall, CBTPA is structured 
     in a fashion that reasonably balances the interests of U.S. 
     textile manufacturers with those of textile and apparel 
     manufacturers in the region. The CBTPA requires the use of 
     U.S. or CBTPA-regional yarns and fabrics, which means Haiti, 
     as the main country still participating in the CBTPA, has 
     become an important export market for U.S. textiles.
       Along with the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through 
     Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, and the Haiti Economic 
     Lift Program (HELP) Act, the CBTPA now increases U.S. exports 
     to strategic allies in the Caribbean Basin. Not only have 
     these programs supported numerous U.S. textile, apparel, and 
     footwear jobs, but they have also supported economic 
     development in the region, advancing key U.S. foreign, 
     security, and immigration policy goals.
       Specifically, the CBTPA continues to play a direct and 
     critical role in advancing the industry partnership that 
     currently exists between the United States and Haiti. In 
     2019, 100 percent (by volume) of apparel that was imported 
     into the United States under the CBTPA was imported from 
     Haiti. And U.S. apparel imports from Haiti continue to grow. 
     In fact, total U.S. garment imports from Haiti grew 13.4% in 
     2019. Because the rules of origin for these programs 
     generally require the use of U.S. fabrics and yarns, these 
     U.S. garment imports incorporate prior U.S. textile exports.
       Those benefits are now threatened because of questions 
     surrounding the renewal of the CBTPA. These concerns come on 
     top of the considerable pain, costs, and uncertainty the 
     industry is already trying to manage as a result of COVID-19 
     and the accompanying economic crisis. Orders have already 
     been placed for goods that will arrive well after September 
     30. Companies must increasingly assume that these orders will 
     be fully dutiable--even if using U.S. inputs--putting our 
     Haitian customers and partners, and our U.S. textile 
     manufacturers and exporters at a disadvantage.
       The CBTPA offers a great opportunity for companies looking 
     to diversify their supply chains close to home, but it is set 
     to expire on September 30, 2020. We urge you to vote YES on 
     H.R. 991--Extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery 
     Act and extend it another ten years.
       Thank you for your consideration.
           Sincerely,
       Accessories Council; American Apparel & Footwear 
     Association (AAFA); Council of

[[Page H4657]]

     Fashion Designers of America (CFDA); Footwear Distributors & 
     Retailers of America (FDRA); INDA, Association of the 
     Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; National Retail Federation (NRF); 
     North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and 
     Distributors; Outdoor Industry Association (OIA); Retail 
     Industry Leaders Association (RILA); Sports & Fitness 
     Industry Association (SFIA); Travel Goods Association (TGA); 
     United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA); U.S. 
     Chamber of Commerce.

  Mr. WENSTRUP. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the good doctor, and Ms. Sewell for helping us 
facilitate the movement of this legislation and make it possible for us 
to actually maybe even get it enacted in this Congress before the 
deadline expires at the end of the month.
  As I referenced, this, I think, is very, very important. The region 
is home to these eight countries that have provided some 13 million 
Americans with a country of origin. It is in our neighborhood and it is 
an area where the United States has been involved from the beginning.
  As I mentioned in my opening comments, we have not always 
distinguished ourselves with honor but this is an opportunity for us to 
do the right thing: to build on this existing legislation; to not have 
it expire; to demonstrate broad, bipartisan commitment and then get 
back to the hard work of implementing it.
  It provides a framework but it is not self-executing. It is something 
that we need to do with policy, with our actions and words, being able 
to build on this as a foundation for progress in this critical region.
  I thank Madam Speaker for the opportunity to advance it, and I 
strongly urge all of my colleagues to approve this legislation and be 
able to keep it in force before it expires at the end of the month.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Dr. Brad Wenstrup for 
yielding time to me, and I want to congratulate him and Ms. Sewell for 
their strong, bipartisan leadership on this important bill.
  I rise today in support of this legislation. The Caribbean Basin 
Trade Partnership creates jobs, promotes American values abroad, and 
incentivizes beneficiary countries to comply with the economic rule of 
law, bolstering their development.
  The CBTPA helps these nations grow and create opportunities for their 
workers, farmers, and innovators. And in return, it creates a strong 
market for us to sell our U.S.-produced yarn and fabrics to apparel 
manufacturers in the Caribbean. The program strengthens our hemispheric 
manufacturing integration and allows us to compete against China, whose 
manufacturers certainly don't care about using U.S. inputs. As a 
result, we can sell our goods to more customers, keep prices here 
lower, and promote the spirit of free enterprise.
  The Caribbean countries are our neighbors, and we should work 
together to improve our region's competitiveness.
  But we should be here today voting on two trade extensions: the 
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership and the Generalized System of 
Preferences.
  Both of these programs have bipartisan support. Both of them are set 
to expire this year. And if we extend both of them today, our 
manufacturers, producers, and consumers would have more certainty right 
now.
  In the midst of a pandemic, we should be doing everything we can to 
offer our job creators certainty, yet Democrats are not including an 
extension of GSP in today's vote.
  The GSP program reduces tariffs on thousands of products from around 
the world. This program saves American families money on everyday 
products and boosts America's economy. And in my state of Texas, GSP 
brought our consumers and small businesses over $76 million in cost 
savings in 2018 alone.
  The remainder of the Congressional schedule until GSP expires at the 
end of the year is completely unpredictable. We should not leave GSP on 
the cutting room floor. GSP deserves to be a bipartisan priority, and I 
continue to urge House Democrats to act.
  I strongly support today's bill, and I urge bipartisan passage. But 
we must continue to work together to get GSP's extension across the 
finish line without further delay. Our American businesses cannot 
afford to wait.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 991, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________