Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6504
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Foreign Trade and International Finance
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-13: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T04:11:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act (H.R. 6504) aims to extend and enhance duty-free (tariff-free) import benefits for goods from Haiti under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). This supports Haiti's economy by making its exports more competitive in the U.S. market, particularly in apparel and other qualifying products. It also restores eligibility for certain previously excluded items and provides retroactive relief for recent imports.
Key Provisions
- Extension of Duty-Free Treatment: Updates rules in CBERA Section 213A to maintain preferential access for Haitian goods until December 31, 2028.
- Sets the "applicable percentage" for yarn and fabric content in apparel at 60% or more, effective from December 20, 2017 (this ensures products meet origin rules for benefits).
- Limits preferential treatment for certain apparel to no more than 1.25% of total U.S. apparel imports (measured by square meter equivalents in the latest 12-month data).
- Removes the previous limit of 16 one-year extension periods, allowing indefinite one-year renewals as needed.
- Restoration of Eligibility: Directs the President to adjust the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)—a list classifying imported goods for tariffs—to reinstate duty-free status for articles eligible under CBERA on December 20, 2006, but later disqualified due to HTS revisions.
- Changes take effect no sooner than two business days after the President notifies the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee with a report explaining the modifications.
- Retroactive Application: Allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reprocess (reliquidate) imports of Haitian goods entered between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment date as if they qualified for duty-free treatment post-enactment.
- Importers must request reliquidation within 180 days of enactment, providing details to locate or reconstruct the entry.
- Any refunds owed by the U.S. government must be paid without interest within 90 days of reliquidation.
- Applies to "covered articles" (Haitian imports) and includes withdrawals from warehouses for U.S. consumption.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Extends the program's termination date from an earlier cutoff to December 31, 2028, providing longer-term stability.
- Increases flexibility by eliminating the 16-year cap on extensions, allowing ongoing one-year renewals.
- Lowers the regional value content threshold for apparel from potentially higher prior levels to 60%, easing qualification.
- Introduces quantitative caps on apparel imports (1.25% of U.S. total) to balance benefits without overwhelming the market.
- Restores lost HTS eligibilities, reversing prior exclusions that had reduced benefits since 2006.
- Adds retroactive reliquidation provisions, overriding standard 1930 Tariff Act rules that limit post-entry adjustments, to address a temporary lapse starting September 30, 2025.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection will handle increased reliquidation requests and HTS updates, potentially straining administrative resources short-term. The President gains authority to modify trade schedules, involving coordination with congressional committees.
- On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. importers and apparel manufacturers benefit from lower costs on Haitian goods, potentially reducing prices for consumers. Haitian exporters gain extended market access, boosting jobs and economic recovery in Haiti amid challenges like political instability.
- On International Relations: Strengthens U.S.-Haiti ties by providing economic aid through trade preferences, supporting regional stability in the Caribbean without direct foreign aid. It aligns with broader U.S. goals under CBERA to promote development in beneficiary countries.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Haitian Government and Exporters: Primary beneficiaries, as extended duty-free access encourages investment in manufacturing, especially textiles and apparel.
- U.S. Importers and Apparel Industry: Gain cost savings and supply chain options from restored and extended preferences.
- U.S. Consumers: May see indirect benefits through more affordable imported goods.
- U.S. Government Entities: Includes Congress (oversight via committees), the Executive Branch (Presidential proclamations), and Customs and Border Protection (processing entries and refunds).
- Other Caribbean Basin Countries: Could face indirect competition from Haiti's enhanced preferences, though the program is Haiti-specific.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on Presidential proclamation authority under trade laws, ensuring congressional checks via required reports. Retroactive reliquidation bends standard customs timelines but is explicitly authorized, avoiding disputes over finality of entries (a principle in the 1930 Tariff Act). No challenges to HTS revisions are anticipated if procedures are followed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8), delegating implementation to the President without overreach.
- Political: Represents bipartisan support for humanitarian trade policy toward Haiti, extending a program originally aimed at post-earthquake recovery (2010). It signals U.S. commitment to Caribbean economic integration but includes caps to mitigate domestic industry concerns over import surges. Enactment in the 119th Congress (2025-2026) underscores ongoing focus on targeted foreign assistance amid global trade tensions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-13: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2026-01-12: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-01-12: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 45 (Roll no. 15). (text: CR H642) (Roll call 15)
- 2026-01-12: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 45 (Roll no. 15). (text: CR H642) (Roll call 15)
- 2026-01-12: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H647)
- 2026-01-12: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2026-01-12: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6504.
- 2026-01-12: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H642-645)
- 2026-01-12: Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-12-30: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 364.
- 2025-12-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-418.
- 2025-12-30: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-418.
- 2025-12-10: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
- 2025-12-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-12-09: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Bill Versions
- Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act — issued 2026-01-12 — PDF (8 pages)
- Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (5 pages)
- Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act — issued 2026-01-13 — PDF (6 pages)
- Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act — issued 2025-12-30 — PDF (8 pages)