Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick and Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Lead Bipartisan Letter to Ways and Means Committee on Reauthorization of Haiti Trade Preference Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) led a bipartisan letter to Ways and Means Committee leadership, emphasizing support for the early renewal of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Acts, commonly known as HOPE/HELP.  

“To create long-term stability in Haiti, there must first be a solid foundation for economic opportunity and growth,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Co-Chair of the Haiti Caucus. “The HOPE/HELP trade preference program has helped do just that, by boosting the apparel sector and spurring job creation across the country. At a time when Haiti finds itself plagued by uncertainty, this program must continue uninterrupted. We must renew our commitment to the U.S./Haitian trade and investment partnership now, to avoid dependence on adversarial nations like China. By renewing this trade preference program before 2025, we send a strong message to the Haitian people: we see you and we stand with you.”  

“With the ongoing security crisis confronting Haiti, it is critical Haiti’s economy has the support needed to endure this challenging period in its history. Make no mistake – the swift renewal of HOPE/HELP is essential for Haiti’s post-crisis recovery and the future of its communities,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. “Allowing Haiti's apparel industry to lose necessary support in this moment of uncertainty would only serve to pull the rug out from under Haiti’s economy and instill further hardship on a nation that has already suffered dearly. Haiti and its people remain cherished allies of the United States, and that is why I am proud to stand with my fellow Co-Chairs of the Haiti Caucus to call for the continued funding of these vital programs.” 

“Now more than ever is the time to help stabilize Haiti and save lives – that includes supporting its economic growth and critical trade sectors,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “The Haitian people have suffered deeply and to allow HOPE/HELP to expire would be a drastic disservice to their livelihood. I am proud to join my fellow co-chairs in calling for the reauthorization of these vital programs and preserving our longstanding trade partnership with our Haitian neighbors.” 

HOPE/HELP is due to expire in September 2025, a little over a year from now.  As a result of these programs, apparel exports have grown to over $1 billion, representing over 80% of Haiti’s total exports. 

While the security crisis has justifiably received the most attention, Haiti’s friends and allies in Congress recognize the essential importance of maintaining Haiti’s formal economy. The immediate reauthorization of HOPE/HELP ranks as one of the top policy priorities that the United States can do to help Haiti at this moment.  

Additional signatories of the letter include Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Andre Carson (D-IN).  

The HOPE/HELP Reauthorization Letter can be found here. 

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