[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13196-13200]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    EXTENDING CERTAIN TRADE PROGRAMS

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5986) to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend 
the third-country fabric program and to add South Sudan to the list of 
countries eligible for designation under that Act, to make technical 
corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
relating to the textile and apparel rules of origin for the Dominican 
Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, to approve 
the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and 
Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5986

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

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT.

       (a) 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--
       (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``2012'' and 
     inserting ``2015'';
       (2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2012'' and inserting 
     ``2015''; and
       (3) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``2012'' and 
     inserting ``2015''.
       (b) Addition of South Sudan.--Section 107 of that Act (19 
     U.S.C. 3706) is amended by inserting after ``Republic of 
     South Africa (South Africa).'' the following:
       ``Republic of South Sudan (South Sudan).''.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 102(2) of that Act (19 
     U.S.C. 3701(2)) is amended by striking ``48''.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO TEXTILE AND APPAREL RULES OF ORIGIN 
                   FOR THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA-
                   UNITED STATES FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Agreement.--The term ``Agreement'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 3(1) of the Dominican Republic-
     Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
     Implementation Act (Public Law 109-53; 19 U.S.C. 4002(1)).
       (2) CAFTA-DR country.--The term ``CAFTA-DR country'' has 
     the meaning given the term in section 3(2) of the Dominican 
     Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
     Implementation Act (Public Law 109-53; 19 U.S.C. 4002(2)).
       (3) HTS.--The term ``HTS'' means the Harmonized Tariff 
     Schedule of the United States.
       (4) Trade representative.--The term ``Trade 
     Representative'' means the United States Trade 
     Representative.
       (b) Modifications to the Textile and Apparel Rules of 
     Origin.--
       (1) Interpretation and application of rules of origin.--
     Subdivision (m)(viii) of general note 29 of the HTS is 
     amended as follows:
       (A) The matter following subdivision (A)(2) is amended by 
     striking the second sentence and inserting the following: 
     ``Any elastomeric yarn (except latex) contained in the 
     originating yarns referred to in subdivision (A)(2) must be 
     formed in the territory of one or more of the parties to the 
     Agreement.''.
       (B) Subdivision (B) is amended--
       (i) in the matter preceding subdivision (B)(1), by striking 
     ``exclusive of collars and cuffs where applicable,'' and 
     inserting ``exclusive of collars, cuffs and ribbed waistbands 
     (only if the ribbed waistband is present in combination with 
     cuffs and identical in fabric construction to the cuffs) 
     where applicable,'';
       (ii) in subdivision (B)(2), by inserting ``or knit to shape 
     components'' after ``one or more fabrics'';
       (iii) by amending subdivision (B)(3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) any combination of the fabrics referred to in 
     subdivision (B)(1), the fabrics or knit to shape components 
     referred to in subdivision (B)(2), or one or more fabrics or 
     knit to shape components originating under this note.''; and
       (iv) in the matter following subdivision (B)(3), by 
     striking the last sentence and inserting the following: ``Any 
     elastomeric yarn (except latex) contained in an originating 
     fabric or knit to shape component referred to in subdivision 
     (B)(3) must be formed in the territory of one or more of the 
     parties to the Agreement.''.
       (C) Subdivision (C) is amended--
       (i) in subdivision (C)(2), by inserting ``or knit to shape 
     components'' after ``one or more fabrics'';
       (ii) by amending subdivision (C)(3) to read as follows:
       ``(3) any combination of the fabrics referred to in 
     subdivision (C)(1), the fabrics or knit to shape components 
     referred to in subdivision (C)(2) or one or more fabrics or 
     knit to shape components originating under this note.''; and
       (iii) in the matter following subdivision (C)(3), by 
     striking the second sentence and inserting the following: 
     ``Any elastomeric yarn (except latex) contained in an 
     originating fabric or knit to shape component referred to in 
     subdivision (C)(3) must be formed in the territory of one or 
     more of the parties to the Agreement.''.
       (2) Change in tariff classification rules.--Subdivision (n) 
     of general note 29 of the HTS is amended as follows:
       (A) Chapter rule 4 to chapter 61 is amended--
       (i) by striking ``5401 or 5508'' and inserting ``5401, or 
     5508 or yarn of heading 5402 used as sewing thread,''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or yarn'' after ``only if such sewing 
     thread''.
       (B) The chapter rules to chapter 61 are amended by 
     inserting after chapter rule 5 the following:
       ``Chapter rule 6: Notwithstanding chapter rules 1, 3, 4 or 
     5 to this chapter, an apparel

[[Page 13197]]

     good of chapter 61 shall be considered originating regardless 
     of the origin of any visible lining fabric described in 
     chapter rule 1 to this chapter, narrow elastic fabrics as 
     described in chapter rule 3 to this chapter, sewing thread or 
     yarn of heading 5402 used as sewing thread described in 
     chapter rule 4 to this chapter or pocket bag fabric described 
     in chapter rule 5 to this chapter, provided such material is 
     listed in U.S. note 20 to subchapter XXII of chapter 98 and 
     the good meets all other applicable requirements for 
     preferential tariff treatment under this note.''.
       (C) Chapter rules 3, 4, and 5 to chapter 62 are each 
     amended by striking ``nightwear'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``sleepwear''.
       (D) Chapter rule 4 to chapter 62 is amended--
       (i) by striking ``5401 or 5508'' and inserting ``5401, or 
     5508 or yarn of heading 5402 used as sewing thread,''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or yarn'' after ``only if such sewing 
     thread''.
       (E) The chapter rules to chapter 62 are amended by 
     inserting after chapter rule 5 the following:
       ``Chapter rule 6: Notwithstanding chapter rules 1, 3, 4 or 
     5 to this chapter, an apparel good of chapter 62 shall be 
     considered originating regardless of the origin of any 
     visible lining fabric described in chapter rule 1 to this 
     chapter, narrow elastic fabrics as described in chapter rule 
     3 to this chapter, sewing thread or yarn of heading 5402 used 
     as sewing thread described in chapter rule 4 to this chapter 
     or pocket bag fabric described in chapter rule 5, provided 
     such material is listed in U.S. note 20 to subchapter XXII of 
     chapter 98 and the good meets all other applicable 
     requirements for preferential tariff treatment under this 
     note.''.
       (F) Tariff classification rule 33 to chapter 62 is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``33. A change to pajamas and sleepwear of subheadings 
     6207.21 or 6207.22, tariff items 6207.91.30 or 6207.92.40, 
     subheadings 6208.21 or 6208.22 or tariff items 6208.91.30, 
     6208.92.00 or 6208.99.20 from any other chapter, provided 
     that the good is cut or knit to shape, or both, and sewn or 
     otherwise assembled in the territory of one or more of the 
     parties to the Agreement.''.
       (G) Chapter rule 2 to chapter 63 is amended--
       (i) by striking ``5401 or 5508'' and inserting ``5401, or 
     5508 or yarn of heading 5402 used as sewing thread,''; and
       (ii) by inserting ``or yarn'' after ``only if such sewing 
     thread''.
       (H) The chapter rules to chapter 63 are amended by 
     inserting after chapter rule 2 the following:
       ``Chapter rule 3: Notwithstanding chapter rule 2 to this 
     chapter, a good of this chapter shall be considered 
     originating regardless of the origin of sewing thread or yarn 
     of heading 5402 used as sewing thread described in chapter 
     rule 2 to this chapter, provided the thread or yarn is listed 
     in U.S. note 20 to subchapter XXII of chapter 98 and the good 
     meets all other applicable requirements for preferential 
     tariff treatment under this note.''.
       (3) Effective date.--
       (A) In general.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     apply to goods of a CAFTA-DR country that are entered, or 
     withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 
     date that the Trade Representative determines is the first 
     date on which the equivalent amendments to the rules of 
     origin of the Agreement have entered into force in all CAFTA-
     DR countries.
       (B) Publication of determination.--The Trade Representative 
     shall promptly publish notice of the determination under 
     subparagraph (A) in the Federal Register.

     SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF AND RENEWAL OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS UNDER 
                   BURMESE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2003.

       (a) Extension of Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 
     2003.--Section 9(b)(3) of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy 
     Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-61; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is 
     amended by striking ``nine years'' and inserting ``twelve 
     years''.
       (b) Renewal of Import Restrictions.--
       (1) In general.--Congress approves the renewal of the 
     import restrictions contained in section 3(a)(1) and section 
     3A(b)(1) and (c)(1) of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act 
     of 2003.
       (2) Rule of construction.--This section shall be deemed to 
     be a ``renewal resolution'' for purposes of section 9 of the 
     Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.
       (c) Effective Date.--This section and the amendment made by 
     this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act or July 26, 2012, whichever occurs first.

     SEC. 4. TIME FOR PAYMENT OF CORPORATE ESTIMATED TAXES.

       Notwithstanding section 6655 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986--
       (1) in the case of a corporation with assets of not less 
     than $1,000,000,000 (determined as of the end of the 
     preceding taxable year), the amount of any required 
     installment of corporate estimated tax which is otherwise due 
     in July, August, or September of 2017 shall be 100.25 percent 
     of such amount; and
       (2) the amount of the next required installment after an 
     installment referred to in paragraph (1) shall be 
     appropriately reduced to reflect the amount of the increase 
     by reason of such paragraph.

     SEC. 5. EXTENSION OF CUSTOMS USER FEES.

       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 ``August 2, 2021'' and 
     inserting ``October 22, 2021'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``December 8, 
     2020'' and inserting ``October 29, 2021''; and
       (3) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Camp) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days within which 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 Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CAMP. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation to strengthen trade 
and investment ties with Africa and the CAFTA-DR countries and support 
well-paying jobs in the United States. The legislation also extends the 
President's authority to impose the import ban on products from Burma 
for an additional 3 years and reauthorizes the actual imposition of the 
import sanctions for 1 year. The legislation has broad bipartisan 
support and is supported by all stakeholders.
  AGOA has succeeded in deepening trade and investment ties with sub-
Saharan Africa and underscoring U.S. commitment to the region. The 
apparel industry has been a major driver of employment growth in Africa 
under AGOA. In Lesotho alone, jobs in the textile and apparel industry 
have more than doubled--growing from 19,000 to 45,000--because of AGOA. 
This bill extends the third-country fabric provisions which are vital 
to ensuring the continued success of the AGOA program and ensures that 
the new Republic of South Sudan is eligible to benefit from AGOA.
  Under the CAFTA-DR trade agreement, trade has grown substantially. 
And since the implementation of this agreement, the trade deficit the 
United States previously had with these countries has turned into a 
trade surplus. Today's legislation builds upon that success by further 
improving the agreement's textile rules of origin. These changes 
encourage greater use of U.S. inputs in the CAFTA-DR countries, which 
supports U.S. jobs and improves trade integration in our hemisphere.
  In 2003, Congress passed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which 
included an import ban on products of Burma renewable once a year for a 
total of 3 years. The law has been extended twice. This legislation 
extends the President's authority to impose the import ban for an 
additional 3 years and reauthorizes the actual import sanctions for 1 
year.
  Now, I want to acknowledge the positive developments in Burma over 
the last year, but much work remains ahead with respect to political 
and economic reforms, human rights, the release of political prisoners, 
freedom of speech, press, association, as well as religion, and the 
treatment of ethnic groups within the country--all factors required for 
full termination of the import sanctions and other restrictions in the 
2003 law.
  I encourage the Burmese Government to continue its current reforms 
and commence others to fully address the concerns that led Congress to 
pass the 2003 law. For all of these reasons, we urgently need to pass 
this important legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
bipartisan legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which extends expiring 
provisions of the African Growth and Opportunity

[[Page 13198]]

Act, adds the country of South Sudan to a list of countries eligible 
for trade preferences, implements technical fixes for the CAFTA 
agreement, and renews the Burma sanctions.
  The expiring third-country fabric provision is the cornerstone of 
AGOA and one of the most valuable parts of our trading relationship 
with Africa. Tens of thousands of workers and hundreds of companies 
depend on this provision.

                              {time}  1010

  It is critical that we extend it now before it expires next month. We 
have delayed this extension for a year, and this unnecessary delay has 
cost thousands of jobs and millions in investment. It has hurt progress 
in Africa. We could have avoided these senseless job losses here and in 
Africa.
  I introduced this legislation to extend third-country fabric and add 
South Sudan over a year ago. The delay was just politics. We are, 
unfortunately, in an era when commonsense things can't get done. As 
usual, the political games accomplished nothing.
  AGOA itself was truly bipartisan. We all worked together to 
compromise it and get a good thing done. That was a different era. At 
least today's vote will reflect some of the bipartisanship that has 
been a hallmark of AGOA from the start.
  The bill also adds South Sudan to the list of AGOA-eligible 
countries. South Sudan deserves every opportunity and every vote of 
confidence we can muster.
  This package also contains important technical fixes for CAFTA 
textiles--that's from Central America--the fixes that businesses and 
workers have been waiting for since February of last year.
  I also am pleased that we are renewing our evolving policy on Burma. 
Burma has made important steps in the last 18 months, but there's still 
a long way to go.
  I'm particularly pleased with the investment transparency measures 
that the State Department has put forward. They are innovative, common 
sense, and exactly what investors and the American public need and 
expect.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Brady).
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in strongly 
supporting passage of this important bipartisan legislation to deepen 
trade ties with sub-Saharan Africa and the Central American-Dominican 
Republic countries and renew sanctions on Burma. As Chairman Camp 
pointed out, this legislation is strongly supported by America's 
textile industry and will help build more integrated supply chains 
between the United States and both Africa and Central America, 
maximizing the benefits of the agreements we describe as AGOA and 
CAFTA-DR.
  These provisions support well-paying U.S. jobs and jobs in sub-
Saharan Africa and Central America.
  I was honored to help lead with Chairman Camp the effort to pass 
CAFTA-DR, and I'm pleased now to see this successful agreement be 
further improved through the legislation we are considering today.
  This bill also extends the President's authority to continue the 
import ban under the 2003 Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. I am not 
normally a fan of unilateral sanctions, but I believe these programs 
must be evaluated carefully to determine their effectiveness and 
implications for America's economy, and this does. I also recognize 
that as the sole remaining superpower, we have the responsibility to 
show our disapproval of rogue states and human rights abusers. The 
sanctions regime under the 2003 law is a model in this regard, and I 
can say that recent developments in Burma confirm the need for 
continuous evaluation.
  Although the Burmese Government has taken many positive steps, these 
reforms must continue and grow so the citizens of Burma can gain true 
political and economic freedom--the goals very much at the heart of the 
original 2003 law. For that reason, I believe we should continue the 
current sanctions regime as the international community keeps a 
watchful eye on developments.
  At the end of the day, this is a jobs bill, and a bipartisan one at 
that. I urge my colleagues to support this essential legislation.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel).
  Mr. RANGEL. Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure hearing the 
word knocked around here, ``bipartisanship,'' and well there should be. 
I hope we can explain what it means to some of the newer Members.
  As I was talking with Jim McDermott, whose ideas first created this 
legislation, some on the other side were Mr. Crane from Illinois, who 
was the cosponsor; Speaker Gingrich who was the first witness for this 
bill as I introduced it; and, of course, President Clinton, who took a 
bipartisan group of Members to Africa not only to help these African 
countries but to help American industry and the textile industry. But 
more importantly than anything, the United States became a symbol of 
being able to help people not just by handouts but by teaching them 
exactly what has to be done.
  Oh, yes, Jim McDermott is right that when it comes to picking up the 
pieces and moving forward in terms of expiration dates and people not 
knowing how to invest. But let's face it, Jim, in today's climate, this 
is some sort of legislative miracle.
  And it was completed with the help of Karen Bass, who came here and 
she worked the devil out of people on the other side of the aisle. They 
got so annoyed with her that I had to come in and to let the committee 
members know that she's new here, but when she gets involved in 
something, that the Senate, the other body, doesn't mean that much. I 
got a call from Bob Menendez saying it was his idea all along to get 
this thing through. And we have done it.
  I do hope, Chairman Camp, that we might snatch what this means in 
bipartisanship. It may be long and difficult before this session ends 
to find something else. But I know that those who played a role in this 
over a decade ago and see that we are moving forward in that bipartisan 
way with the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, 
that we all leave here as better legislators.
  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I just have one remaining speaker, so I'm 
going to reserve. But before I do that, I just want to acknowledge Mr. 
Rangel's remarks and acknowledge his leadership on this issue over many 
years. He was at the forefront of making this AGOA agreement a reality, 
and I want to thank him for that and for all of his hard work over a 
very long period of time.
  At this time, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York, Joe Crowley.
  Mr. CROWLEY. I thank my friend and colleague from Washington for 
yielding his time, and I want to thank all those involved in bringing 
this important legislation to the floor and doing it, albeit maybe a 
little late in some components, but getting it here all the same. And I 
understand it was not necessarily the House of Representatives that was 
the reason for the holdup, but I am very pleased to be here today.
  I also want to make note of the baby steps we may be taking here in 
terms of bipartisanship, Chairman Camp, as well as my colleagues on my 
side of the aisle. I think those watching today may see a little 
glimmer of hope that more can be accomplished in the weeks to come 
before the elections. I, for one, am not necessarily holding my breath, 
but I want to make the offer that I'm interested in seeing that happen. 
But even though they are baby steps, it should not diminish the 
importance of the legislation that we have before us today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan measure. 
Part of the legislation is a provision that I introduced to maintain 
the ban on imports from Burma for 1 additional year. Its

[[Page 13199]]

passage will demonstrate America's ongoing commitment to the 
advancement of human rights.
  When I traveled to Burma last January, I was the first Member of 
Congress to officially travel to that country in 12 years. I saw the 
possibilities for change with my own eyes. I saw the families of 
political prisoners hoping for a genuine and permanent freedom. I saw 
ethnic minority leaders expressing the belief that reconciliation was 
possible. And I saw the tremendous courage of Aung San Suu Kyi, a 
leader so dedicated to her people that she was undeterred for nearly 
two decades of house arrest.
  No, she did not demand that this bill be passed into law. In fact, 
Aung San Suu Kyi has urged a decrease in international pressure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Aung San Suu Kyi has urged a decrease in international 
pressure on Burma. But by renewing this bill today and keeping this 
measure on the books even as we are open to new flexibilities, we will 
help send a strong signal to those in Burma that the United States will 
continue to focus on the need for the immediate release of all 
political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, an end to violence 
against all minorities, including the Kachin and the Rohingya, and the 
adoption of genuine democratic reform in Burma.

                              {time}  1020

  I stand in strong support of this bill, and I urge its immediate 
adoption.
  Mr. CAMP. At this time I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I was one of the original authors of this 
measure, along with Jim McDermott and Charlie Rangel, and I know how 
much work over the last week has gone into this in terms of the work by 
Chairman Dave Camp, by Karen Bass, and by others who have worked to get 
this bill out of the Senate.
  I wanted to make a few observations on this measure and the impact it 
has had. I chaired the Africa Subcommittee when we passed the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act. It was bipartisan. It was historic.
  Before, Africa policy was just aid policy. With AGOA, we created a 
trade policy for Africa. With AGOA, we have seen exports and imports 
double into sub-Saharan Africa. And I have had the opportunity to see 
this program's benefits, hundreds of thousands of jobs, most held by 
women, created in the apparel sector, boosting very poor countries in 
Africa.
  And AGOA has also strengthened the rule of law in Africa because 
that's one of the conditions, that when we wrote this bill and marked 
it up, we put that conditionality on, that eligibility criteria.
  And I just wanted to remind the Members for a minute, and this is 
testimony from Jas Bedi, chairman of the African Cotton and Textile 
Industry Federation, the eligibility criteria of AGOA compelled most 
African countries to embrace the rule of law, to allow for political 
pluralism, and respect democracy and basic human rights. Those were 
requirements. And the move toward independent judges and independent 
judicial systems separate of the government in order to enforce the 
rule of law was very, very important across the continent.
  And if we didn't act today, because today is the last day to extend 
the third-country provision, these jobs would have shifted to Asia. And 
that's what we were told in the hearings that we held on both the House 
and Senate sides on this issue. Already, a number of jobs have been 
lost to Asia because of uncertainty over whether Congress would act.
  There's a second provision that I think is very important, and that's 
the South Sudan eligibility. South Sudan became an independent country 
in July of 2011. And for those of us who have visited South Sudan and 
have been in Sudan to see the situation, it's very important that South 
Sudan get this opportunity.
  Prior to its independence, exporters in South Sudan were eligible for 
AGOA benefits as part of Sudan, and this legislation ensures that these 
exporters continue to be eligible for AGOA benefits, very important to 
the new economy in that new country.
  Both bodies must act today. Both bodies must do this so that we can 
put this bill on the President's desk. We have worked, over the years, 
our coalition, with both President Clinton and President Bush. We have 
traveled to Africa with the former President in order to help sell him 
on this idea and to sell our colleagues on this concept.
  Today, with the changes that we're seeing, with the economic growth 
that we're seeing across sub-Saharan Africa, I think we can be jointly 
proud of this bipartisan effort. So I think it is a lesson in doing the 
right thing.
  And I, again, want to congratulate Chairman Dave Camp and his staff 
and our friends on the other side of the aisle, especially Karen Bass, 
for the flurry of activity over the last 72 hours with our meetings 
with our Senate colleagues in order to get this done.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from California, (Ms. Bass).
  Ms. BASS of California. I want to thank the gentleman from Washington 
State (Mr. McDermott) for his leadership, and I also want to 
acknowledge Congressman Rangel for his historic commitment to AGOA.
  But, in addition, I want to thank, as I stand here next to two men 
who I consider giants in the House of Representatives, I want to thank 
them for their patience and their guidance with me as a new Member 
here. It's been pretty amazing to work with my colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle--Mr. Royce, Mr. Camp, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Rangel--as they 
all worked with me to make sure that we were able to be here this 
moment and pass AGOA.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of African growth and 
opportunity legislation, H.R. 5986. Passage of today's legislation 
comes as a result of strong and widespread bipartisan and bicameral 
support. It's been a pleasure to work alongside Mr. Royce in this 
bipartisan effort, and I also want to thank my friend from the Senate, 
Senator Coons, who has been a stalwart advocate.
  I want to acknowledge the African Diplomatic Corps. Thousands, if not 
hundreds of thousands, of African jobs will be saved as a result of 
your efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, Africa is on the rise. Today, six of the world's fastest 
growing economies are in Africa. Opportunities abound, and we see 
increased political stability.
  Today's House vote on the extension of AGOA's fabric provision is, by 
all measures, a success for the U.S. and Africa alike. But we must not 
stop here. Let us take a moment to acknowledge this accomplishment, but 
also prepare ourselves for AGOA's reauthorization in 2015.
  Africa, a continent of opportunity, for too long has been 
overshadowed and ignored. While humanitarian, governance, and health 
challenges remain, we are the observers of remarkable growth and 
stability across the continent that exemplify positive strides that 
Africans themselves have made.
  Africa, and its many nations, stand on the critical precipice of 
extraordinary change. Increasingly, Africa's resource mineral wealth 
attracts investments by countries like China, Brazil, and India. We 
must, in the United States, increase our investment. We cannot allow 
our Nation to be left behind.
  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of 
the Rules Committee, who's been active in trade issues his entire 
career in Congress.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, many of us have enjoyed saying over the past 
several years that if we don't shape the global economy, we will be 
shaped by it. And we also have, as we all know, so much attention 
focused on divisions that exist in this institution. We know that the 
media like to cover pictures, mistakes and conflict. And, obviously,

[[Page 13200]]

conflict here is something that the media like to focus attention on.
  Well, here we are, Democrats and Republicans, coming together under 
the great leadership of my friend Dave Camp, the chairman of the Ways 
and Mean Committee, we have the ranking member of the Trade 
Subcommittee, Mr. Brady, was here earlier, the chairman of the Trade 
Subcommittee, working to focus on this notion of our shaping the global 
economy.
  As I look over and see my friend from New York, Mr. Rangel, I'm 
reminded of December 1999. He and I were with President Clinton in 
Seattle, Washington, at the ministerial meeting of the World Trade 
Organization. You know, that meeting itself turned out to be an abject 
failure. The meeting itself was an abject failure.
  In fact, I'll never forget, the week after that ministerial meeting 
in 1999, the cover of the Economist magazine said: ``Who Lost in 
Seattle?'' And the photograph was a starving baby in Bangladesh.
  But the good thing that did emerge from that meeting in Seattle that 
we attended back in 1999 was the fact that we were vigorously pursuing 
the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act; and we had laid the groundwork, 
again, working in a bipartisan way, to say that pursuing trade, not 
aid, was the best thing for everyone.

                              {time}  1030

  Now, Mr. Camp was testifying before the Rules Committee the other 
day, and we were talking about this issue of a zero sum game when it 
comes to taxes. We also have to recognize, when it comes to the issue 
of trade, it is not a zero sum game. It is a win-win for us if you look 
at all of the issues covered in this measure--whether it's the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act, whether it's focusing on our great friends 
to the south, the Central American countries and the Dominican 
Republic, whether it's looking at the area where I'm going to be next 
week.
  Next week, I'm headed to Burma, and I'm so enthused about the changes 
that are taking place. We need to encourage that, and I believe that 
the actions we are taking here can play a role in continuing to 
encourage the positive reforms that we are seeing take place in Burma. 
We're not there yet--that's why we need to take this action--but we are 
moving in the right direction.
  My fellow Californian Mr. Royce mentioned South Sudan--the newest 
country in the world. Last month, I was there when they marked their 
first anniversary of existence. This is a country that is seeking to 
get its sea legs. I was pleased to be there with my colleague Mr. 
Price, who cochairs our House Democracy Partnership. We are looking at 
the idea of possibly putting together a partnership between this new 
parliament, with a very impressive speaker, in South Sudan and the 
United States House of Representatives. The idea of incorporating South 
Sudan as part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act is again an 
indication that we very much want to strengthen ties with new and 
reemerging democracies around the world, not just politically but 
commercially as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this effort, and I congratulate my 
friends on both sides of the aisle who are making it happen. I 
especially express appreciation to my very, very good friend Mr. Camp, 
who has championed this and so many other important issues. He and I 
will be together again this afternoon when we get to, I hope, put 
together a strong bipartisan effort to implement the notion of bringing 
about real meaningful tax reform.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. May I inquire as to how much time remains.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Marchant). The gentleman from Washington 
has 10\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentleman from Michigan has 6\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Does the gentleman from Michigan have any more 
speakers?
  Mr. CAMP. I have no further requests for time.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, many people played a part in all of this. Nothing in 
Congress ever gets done by one person. Nothing ever gets done by one 
side or the other, and the good things that happen here always happen 
on a bipartisan basis. I'm sorry Ed Royce left, because Ed Royce and I 
worked together.
  One day, he called me. He said, Jim, I'm going out to Africa to look 
at some of the places in which the AGOA Act is working. Will you go 
with me?
  I said, Why?
  Well, he said, I need a Democrat on the trip.
  That kind of relationship is rare around here, unfortunately, and I 
think that people need to recognize that it is still going on--that 
this place runs on trust.
  Very early on in this session, I said to Dave Camp, When are you 
going to bring up the AGOA Act?
  He said, It's going to come up.
  I've asked him many times since, and he has said it's going to come 
up. So I told all of my African friends, It's going to come up because 
Dave Camp said it's going to come up.
  I'm really pleased to acknowledge that he kept his word, because what 
this place runs on is trust. If you don't trust somebody in here, then 
you don't do business with him. If you trust him, even if it takes him 
a long time and you have to poke him a bunch of times, you know that 
ultimately he's going to do what he said he was going to do. I want to 
acknowledge Chairman Camp for that because I think it is reflective of 
what can make it possible for us to do tax reform in this House.
  It is something that took a long time the last time they did it, but 
it was built on the trust between Reagan and Rostenkowski and Tip 
O'Neill. It took a bit of time, but it will happen again if we learn to 
act on the behalf of the American people.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAMP. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank the ranking member of the Trade Subcommittee for his 
kind comments and for his leadership as well over the years. This 
really was a team effort. A lot of people on both sides of the aisle 
came together to make this a reality.
  I'll just briefly say that this is bipartisan legislation that does 
deepen our trade and investment ties with Africa and with the CAFTA-DR 
countries. It also supports well-paying jobs here in the United States 
as well as in other countries, as Mr. Dreier stated. This is not a zero 
sum game. This will help both of our nations as well as Africa. Also, 
this legislation reauthorizes the import ban on Burmese products.
  I urge its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Camp) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 5986.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________