Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, and members of the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade and Economic Task Forces issued a statement in support of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA).  The New Democrat Coalition is the U.S. House of Representatives’ largest Democratic caucus, committed to pro-economic growth, pro-innovation, and fiscally responsible policies.  

From the New Democrat Coalition press release: 

Washington, D.C. — Today, ahead of the US-Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force Chair Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Vice Chairs Don Beyer (VA-08) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), along with NDC Economic Growth and Fiscal Responsibility Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Vice Chair Nikema Williams (GA-05), issued the following statement on the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA):

“This week’s AGOA Forum offers Congress an opportunity to reflect on more than two decades of our progress to strengthen our trade relationships for years to come. To that end, New Dems call on Congressional leadership to prioritize the reauthorization and modernization of AGOA.

“Since 2000, AGOA has been critical to economic development, job creation, and innovation both in Sub-Saharan Africa and the U.S. and serves as the primary framework that supports our trade and investment relationships. 

“However, as we approach the expiration of AGOA in 2025, we risk uncertainty slowing the economic exchange between the U.S. and our African partners. It is imperative that we signal our support for the program and commit to renewing it as quickly as possible. Africa has changed dramatically since the inception of AGOA, and our trade program must reflect that transformation to increase economic growth and drive more investment to both Africa and the U.S.

“New Dems look forward to working with our colleagues across the aisle and the Capitol on a timely reauthorization and modernization of the AGOA program to restore certainty to intercontinental trade, secure our supply chains, and build the foundation for the future.”