Ways and Means approves 3‑year HOPE/HELP extension for Haiti amid calls for added reforms

The House Ways and Means Committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute and voted to report HR 6,504, the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act, to the House. The bill extends the HOPE/HELP preference programs for three years through Dec. 31, 2028, restores eligibility for certain textile categories and allows retroactive tariff refunds for qualifying goods entered after the program expired.

Sponsor Rep. Michael Murphy said the programs "provide preferential tariff rates for certain textile and apparel products from Haiti" and described HOPE/HELP as a lifeline for thousands of Haitian workers in a country facing political unrest and economic collapse. Rep. Stacey Plaskett and other Democrats emphasized the program’s importance to Haitian employment and regional security, pointing to long‑term U.S. strategic interest.

Committee discussion addressed program integrity, a potential expansion of the economic base in Haiti beyond textiles, and the need for technical fixes to harmonized tariff schedule references. Rep. Plaskett offered a study amendment to examine how preference structures and technical assistance could support economic diversification in Haiti; the sponsor committed to working with colleagues on follow‑up options.

After Q&A and brief debate, the committee adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute and voted 41‑0 to report the measure favorably. The committee authorized technical and conforming staff changes and gave members two days to submit supplemental views.

What’s next: The bill proceeds to the House floor; supporters say the extension preserves near‑term jobs and provides a runway for Congress to consider reforms to better diversify Haiti’s economy.