U.S. Representative Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, praised the House’s passage Tuesday of a continuing resolution that includes a two-year reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The measure would extend AGOA through December 31, 2028.
The continuing resolution now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Sewell said she worked to include the AGOA reauthorization in the measure.
“AGOA has been one of the most successful tools for strengthening economic ties between the United States and Africa, creating opportunities for American workers and businesses while promoting growth and stability across the African continent,” Sewell said. “I am proud to have fought for its reauthorization and to see this critical program secured in the continuing resolution. This extension provides much-needed certainty to our African partners, American businesses, farmers and manufacturers while reaffirming America’s commitment to strengthening our economic partnership with Africa.”
Sewell, a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, has supported AGOA as a way to promote economic development and democratic governance in Africa.
AGOA gives thousands of products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. Congress created the program in 2000 to expand trade and investment between the United States and Africa.
The extension would give businesses and governments more certainty as Congress considers long-term changes to the program.
The continuing resolution also would prevent a government shutdown by funding the federal government through December 11. That would give Congress more time to pass full-year spending bills.
“While I am pleased that we have avoided a government shutdown and secured this important extension of AGOA, Congress still has work to do,” Sewell said. “We must complete the work of passing full-year funding bills that responsibly fund our government, lower the cost of living for hardworking Americans and rein in the corruption of the Trump administration. The American people deserve nothing less.”
