PROSPER in the Pacific Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6619

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Foreign Trade and International Finance

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Last Updated

2026-03-26T08:06:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The PROSPER in the Pacific Act (H.R. 6619) aims to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Pacific Islands countries by authorizing duty-free (preferential) treatment for certain imports from these nations. It seeks to promote inclusive economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards in the region while advancing U.S. interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing shared values like sovereignty and the rule of law.

Key Provisions

• Sense of Congress: Expresses U.S. recognition of deep cultural, economic, and strategic connections with Pacific Islands countries, highlighting their economic challenges (e.g., isolation, natural disasters) and the benefits of a U.S.-led trade program for mutual prosperity and security.
• Eligibility Requirements: The President must determine eligibility for preferential treatment based on criteria from existing laws like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Trade Act of 1974. Key conditions include:
• Meeting basic eligibility for beneficiary developing countries (e.g., free trade commitment, no aid restrictions).
• Not engaging in practices that violate worker rights, human rights, or environmental laws (including obligations on public health and illegal fishing).
• Progress on factors like rule of law, poverty reduction, anti-corruption efforts, and economic policies for health, education, and private enterprise.
• Notably, income-based thresholds for "developing country" status are waived for Pacific Islands nations.
• Preferential Treatment: Authorizes the President to designate eligible articles (goods) from qualifying Pacific Islands countries for duty-free entry into the U.S., similar to treatments under the Trade Act for least-developed countries.
• Free Trade Agreements: Directs the President to develop a plan for negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with willing Pacific Islands countries, including objectives, timelines, benefits, consultation procedures with Congress and stakeholders, and consideration of regional organizations. A report on this plan is required within 12 months of enactment.
• Trade Facilitation and Capacity Building: Requires establishing a program within 180 days of enactment to help Pacific Islands governments and businesses with export support, including training on finance, online publication of trade rules, and outreach to civil society, indigenous groups, and associations to comply with international standards like the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement.
• Reporting and Oversight: Mandates annual reports to Congress through 2036 on U.S. trade policy for the region and implementation of the Act. Provisions for withdrawing or suspending benefits mirror those in existing trade laws.
• Termination: Duty-free treatment ends on December 31, 2036.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "Pacific Islands countries" (listing 14 specific nations, e.g., Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa) and "internationally recognized worker rights" (e.g., rights to organize, bans on forced labor and child labor, safe working conditions, anti-discrimination).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a tailored preferential trade program for Pacific Islands, adapting elements from AGOA and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) under the Trade Act of 1974, but waiving income thresholds to better suit small, isolated economies.
• Adds new ineligibility criteria focused on human rights, worker protections, and environmental enforcement (e.g., illegal fishing), expanding beyond standard GSP rules.
• Requires proactive planning for FTAs and capacity-building programs, which are not directly mirrored in prior Pacific-specific laws, and sets a fixed termination date (2036) for benefits.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The President (via agencies like the U.S. Trade Representative and Customs and Border Protection) gains authority to implement designations and programs, increasing administrative workload for eligibility reviews, negotiations, and reporting. Congress must approve FTAs and receives ongoing oversight reports.
• On Citizens: U.S. consumers may benefit from lower-cost imports (e.g., agricultural or fishery products), while Pacific Islands residents could see job growth and better infrastructure through expanded trade. However, it ties aid to compliance with labor and environmental standards, potentially pressuring reforms.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. economic influence in the Indo-Pacific, countering competitors by promoting sovereignty and rule of law. It fosters cooperation with Pacific nations on shared issues like climate vulnerability and illegal fishing, but could strain relations if ineligibility is applied due to non-compliance.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Pacific Islands Countries and Businesses: Primary beneficiaries through duty-free access and capacity-building support; governments must meet eligibility to participate, affecting exporters in sectors like fisheries, agriculture, and manufacturing.
• U.S. Importers and Consumers: Gain from reduced tariffs on Pacific goods, potentially lowering prices and diversifying supply chains.
• U.S. Government and Congress: Executive branch handles implementation and negotiations; Congress provides policy direction and approval, ensuring alignment with broader trade goals.
• Workers and Civil Society: In both regions, protections for labor rights, human rights, and environmental standards could improve conditions, with outreach to indigenous groups and trade associations.
• Regional Organizations: Pacific intergovernmental bodies (e.g., Pacific Islands Forum) are consulted on FTAs and reforms, enhancing their role in trade coordination.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on existing trade statutes (e.g., Trade Act of 1974) for consistency, but introduces Pacific-specific waivers and criteria that may require WTO notifications to justify preferential treatment as a special development program. Enforcement of new standards (e.g., worker rights, anti-corruption) could lead to disputes if countries challenge ineligibility decisions.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated powers over foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8), delegating implementation to the President while requiring congressional reporting and FTA approval, preserving checks and balances.
• Political: Signals U.S. commitment to Pacific partnerships amid geopolitical tensions, potentially boosting bipartisan support for Indo-Pacific strategy. It emphasizes "people-to-people" ties and sustainable development, but the 2036 sunset clause allows future reassessment based on evolving relations or economic progress.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Promoting Regional Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity and Economic Resilience in the Pacific Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (12 pages)