Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Bernard LaFayette, who passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a giant of the civil rights movement and a lifelong champion of justice, equality, and nonviolence.

Bernard LaFayette was an extraordinary man who had extraordinary talents and extraordinary courage. As a Freedom Rider and a cofounder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, otherwise known as SNCC, Bernard placed himself on the front line of the struggle for civil rights, risking life and limb to challenge injustice and dismantle segregation across the South.

As a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, he helped to advocate a philosophy of nonviolent social change that moved our Nation closer to its founding promise of liberty and justice for all.

His liberation was one of selflessness. His leadership was instrumental during the most pivotal moments of the civil rights movement, especially in my hometown of Selma, where his organizing efforts helped secure the right to vote for countless Black Americans.

Yet, what set Bernard LaFayette apart was not only his bravery in those defining moments but his lifelong commitment to ensuring the principles of nonviolence would endure forever.

Through his ministry, his scholarship, and his teaching, Bernard LaFayette dedicated himself to training new generations in the principles and the discipline of peaceful resistance.

He believed deeply in what Dr. King called the Beloved Community, a Nation and a world rooted in justice, in reconciliation, and love. He worked every day of his life to make that vision a reality.

On a personal note, as a proud daughter of Selma, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Bernard LaFayette in the name of justice and equality. I know that I get to walk the Halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman because of the resilience, the courage, and determination of people like Bernard.

My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Kate, as well as his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of a civil rights icon and a nonviolent advocate, Bernard LaFayette. May he rest in power and in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor six heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in defense of the United States.

On March 12, 2026, six American airmen were tragically killed when a

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr., who, at the Fifty-Second Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, was elected and consecrated as the 144th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and now serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, which includes the State of Alabama.

A fourth-generation preacher and lifelong churchman, Bishop McAllister answered the call of the ministry in 1992, shortly before his graduation from South Carolina State University, where he received his baccalaureate degree in criminal justice. He later continued his educational journey at Turner Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree, and Chicago Theological Seminary, where he earned his Doctor in Ministry.

The son of Supervisor Joan McAllister, Bishop McAllister holds a unique place in AME history. He and his father, Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr., stand as the only father and son to serve concurrently in active episcopal ministry since the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1787 and its incorporation in 1816, marking a moment of profound generational legacy in the life of the Church. A dedicated servant of God, Bishop McAllister has devoted 32 years to pastoral ministry, 16 of which were spent at Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida, where he led a ministry of strong spiritual formation, stewardship, and impact. During his 16-year pastorate, Bishop McAllister received 1,300 new members into the church, strengthened Christian stewardship with a strong emphasis on tithing, and guided the congregation in raising two million dollars annually in tithes and offerings. Additionally, he oversaw the construction of 85 single-family homes at a cost of fifteen million dollars, helped more than 1,000 men and women overcome drug and alcohol addiction through the Christ-centered ``A Life Recovery Center,'' and developed a ten- acre church campsite.

Bishop McAllister also served as pastor of Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he launched the Come Home for Christmas Ministry, serving over 5,000 homeless men and women and providing more than 2,000 children with a clothing shopping spree at Target or Sears at a cost of $750,000 to support needy families during the Christmas season. As the President Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, Bishop McAllister leads with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to shepherding God's people. His pastorate is distinguished by a shepherd's heart; being present with his members, ministering to them through life's joys and sorrows, and building ministries that nurture spiritual growth, Christian stewardship, community outreach, and holistic support for families. On a personal note, as a daughter of Selma, Alabama, and lifelong member of the historic Brown Chapel AME Church, I know that it was within the sacred walls of the Black Church that our foremothers and forefathers organized and strategized for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. As the President Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop McAllister has carried forward that proud legacy in the ongoing pursuit of justice. That is why I am proud to recognize his faithful leadership, ministry, and service as we commemorate the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr., as the President Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Ms. Jo Ann Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72.

Jo Ann was born on July 29, 1953, in Selma, Alabama, to the late Alfred Charles Blackmon and Ludie Wright Blackmon. True to her Selma roots, Jo Ann dedicated her life to the struggle for civil rights and voting rights. As an active member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she joined The Movement at a remarkably young age, and at just 11 years old, she was one of the youngest participants in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery.

Despite the violence she witnessed on Bloody Sunday, her courage did not end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. By the time she reached her early teens, Jo Ann had been arrested at least 13 times for participating in civil rights demonstrations, guided by her fearless and unwavering resolve for justice. That same resolve extended into the classroom where Jo Ann, alongside six other courageous students, integrated Selma's A.G. Parrish High School, opening doors of opportunity for countless children to follow in her footsteps. After graduating, she attended the College of Staten Island in New York and proudly served in the United States Army.

After being discharged from the Army, Jo Ann returned to Alabama, where she sought to educate others on Selma's role in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1989, she co-founded the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, and in 2007, she founded Journeys for the Soul, a tour agency dedicated to teaching visitors from around the world the true history of the Civil Rights Movement in Selma.

In 2001, alongside Kimberly Smitherman, Jo Ann began purchasing parcels of land adjacent to the site where civil rights and voting rights activists gathered on Bloody Sunday. Through their combined efforts, the land was developed into Foot Soldiers Park, which stands as a memorial to the countless everyday people who marched, bled, and even died in pursuit of civil and voting rights for all, ensuring that their legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Charles Blackman and Ludie Wright Blackmon; her grandmother, Sylvia Johnson; her sisters, Jackie Maxey and Lynda Lowery; and her brother, Al Blackmon. She is survived by her son, Antonio Bowie, Sr.; her granddaughter, Jasmyn Bowie; her grandsons, Antonio Bowie, Jr., Samuel Bowie, and Jordan Bowie; her surviving sisters, Sadie Moss, Mary Myles, and Mary Hudson; her special sister, Frances Bowie; her special daughter, Kimberly Smitherman; her special son, Demetrius Callens; her special granddaughters, Ja'kira Simmons and Charmekia Moore; her special nephew, Tony Blackmon; her special grandchildren, James Henderson and Samuel Flagg; her special great-grandchild, Jaxston Boyd; her goddaughter, Randy (Renee) Garrett; her god-granddaughters, Riley, Raven, and Ruby Garnett; her god great-granddaughter, Ziporah Rene' Stroud; her sister-in-law, Beverly Blackmon; her special friends, Queen Ramsey and Tracy Arnold; the dedicated staff and volunteers of Foot Soldiers Park, who became family and carried her vision alongside her; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and lifelong friends.

On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Jo Ann Bland in the name of equality and justice. I know that I get to walk the halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black congresswoman because of her courage, resilience, and dedication. Her life is a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change, and her contributions to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movements serve as an inspiration for future generations. In 2024, it was a privilege to bring Jo Ann as my special guest to President Biden's State of the Union Address, and upon her passing, I was honored to pay tribute to her on the floor of the House of Representatives. I will miss her wisdom and friendship. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Ms. Jo Ann Bland for her contributions to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movements and her decades of exemplary service to our nation in our fight for liberty, equality, and justice for all.

May she Rest in Power.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage through Alabama, which will take place this weekend in Birmingham, Montgomery, and my hometown of Selma, Alabama.

Beginning this Friday, March 6, we in Alabama will once again welcome Members of Congress and dignitaries from across the Nation to lay eyes on the faces and places of the civil rights and voting rights movement.

Hosted by the Faith and Politics Institute, we will retrace the footsteps of civil rights giants and pay homage to the sacrifices made in the name of equality and justice for all.

Our pilgrimage will begin in Birmingham, where we will pay tribute to the four little girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Together, we will reflect on the legacy of visionary Birmingham leaders like Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, who led the fight against segregation alongside Dr. King.

We will then travel to Montgomery, Alabama--home to Rosa Parks, the Freedom Rides Museum, and the Equal Justice Initiative--where ordinary citizens took a bold stand against injustice.

We will conclude our pilgrimage by crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in my hometown of Selma. We will commemorate the events of Bloody Sunday. Together, we will walk in the footsteps of our former colleague, the late, great Congressman John Lewis, who was beaten and bloodied by Alabama State troopers while peacefully demonstrating for the rights of all Americans to vote.

This year's pilgrimage could not come at a more critical time in our Nation's history. As we speak, officials at the highest levels of government are waging a concerted and coordinated effort to attack the rights and freedoms secured by our foremothers and our forefathers. They are attempting to erase our history, to roll back our progress, to silence our voices, and to dilute our power.

Meanwhile, the fate of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement, hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court considers a case that could gut its remaining protections.

It is my hope that this year's pilgrimage will serve not only as a reminder of our past but a roadmap for our future.

Mr. Speaker, the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement were tacticians and strategists. In these troubled times, we should take a page from their playbook, because ``good trouble, necessary trouble'' is needed now more than ever.

Mr. Speaker, this year's pilgrimage is also bittersweet. It will be the last time that we will be joined in our official capacity by Congressman and former majority leader, Steny Hoyer.

Congressman Hoyer is retiring from the House of Representatives this year, and I pay special tribute to him and his dedication for coming annually to the pilgrimage. No one in this body has been a more steadfast supporter of our annual pilgrimage than Leader Hoyer. He made the trip to Alabama 18 times, and this will be his 19th time commemorating Bloody Sunday.

I will always cherish the memories we made alongside John Lewis and our colleagues during the pilgrimage. While he will be sorely missed in the Halls of Congress, I know that Leader Hoyer's service to our Nation will not end with his retirement, and neither will his dedication to protecting and advancing our civil rights.

On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in observing the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the upcoming annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage.

May we leave this weekend renewed, refreshed, and ready to get into some ``good trouble.''

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of foot soldier, freedom fighter, and civil rights icon Ms. Joanne Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72.

As a proud daughter of Selma, Alabama, Joanne dedicated her life to the struggle for civil rights and voting rights. As an active member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she joined the movement at a remarkably young age. At just 11 years old, she was one of the youngest participants in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery.

Joanne's courage did not end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. By her early teens, Joanne had been arrested at least 13 times for her participation in civil rights demonstrations. She was also among the courageous students who integrated A.G. Parrish High School, where she opened doors of opportunity for countless children to follow in her footsteps.

As an adult, Joanne worked to educate others on Selma's role in the civil rights movement, ensuring that her legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

Joanne founded numerous organizations, including Foot Soldiers Park, Journeys for the Soul, and the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute. Her tours of Selma, Alabama, were celebrated for being both informative and inspiring.

On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Joanne Bland in the name of equality and justice. I know that I get to walk the Halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman because of her courage, resilience, and determination.

I am honored to have brought her as my special guest to President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address, and I will miss her wisdom and friendship.

On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of a civil rights icon, Selma's own Ms. Joanne Bland. May she rest in power and in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to Trump's voter suppression bill. In recent months, President Trump's attempts to interfere in the midterm elections have become more brazen and alarming day by day.

We have seen State legislators redraw maps to benefit Republicans. We have seen the FBI raid an election office and seize ballots in Georgia. Most recently, President Trump threatened a Federal takeover of our election in clear violation of the Constitution.

This week, Trump's efforts to rig the elections have made their way to Congress where Republicans are pushing this piece of legislation, which will block millions of voters from casting their ballots.

Let us be clear. This is not a voter ID bill. It is a voter suppression bill, plain and simple.

This bill is so extreme that even your driver's license would be insufficient to register to vote. Instead, Americans would be required to present their birth certificate or their passport.

The reality is that half of Americans do not have a passport. Get this: This bill also requires States to turn over personal identifiable information to the Department of Homeland Security, the same Department whose rogue agents are responsible for the deaths of two American citizens in Minnesota.

Here is the truth: Under this bill, tens of millions of eligible American voters will be blocked from casting their ballots. It is simply unacceptable and un-American.

The ability of voters to choose their leaders is foundational to our democracy. It is a freedom that generations of Americans have fought, bled, and marched for, many in my hometown of Selma, Alabama.

We know that it is so important that we safeguard these important truths. Our freedom is under assault. Make no mistake, Republicans know that their policies are failing, that prices are going up, that jobs are going away, that healthcare is being slashed, and that the American people are struggling to make ends meet.

Republicans know that they cannot win on the merits, so rather than changing their policies, they are seeking to change the rules.

John Lewis was not bludgeoned on a bridge in my hometown for the Republicans and Donald Trump to take these freedoms away from us. This is a blatant power grab, and Democrats will not stand for it.

Vote ``no'' on this disastrous legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong public servant and Alabama native, Commissioner Rhondel B. Rhone, who celebrated his 70th Birthday on January 31, 2026.

In 1992, motivated by the pursuit of justice and a deep, abiding love for the people of his community, Commissioner Rhone sought public office with a clear purpose: to serve and uplift the people of Clarke County. Through his immense talents, vision, and work ethic, he was elected to represent District 5 on the Clark County Commission, a role he has carried out with distinction and dedication. From the outset of his tenure, Commissioner Rhone established himself as a steady and principled leader, earning widespread respect for his integrity, sound judgment, and deep commitment to community development.

A dedicated advocate for economic development and empowering underserved communities, Commissioner Rhone has fought tirelessly to ensure that all residents of Clarke County have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. In pursuit of his mission, he became extensively involved

with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA). Within ACCA, Commissioner Rhone held numerous executive leadership positions, including 2nd Vice President in 2004, Vice President in 2005, and President in 2006. He also served multiple terms on the ACCA Board of Directors, the ACCA Legislative Committee, and the Workers' Compensation Board, where his leadership and insight helped shape polices that impacted countless lives across Alabama.

A true public servant and pillar of the Clarke County Community, Commissioner Rhone has played a key role in numerous regional and community organizations in addition to his work on the Clarke County Commission. Throughout his tenure, he served as Past Chairman and Board Member of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Board and was an active member of the Ala-Tom Resource Conservation and Development Council, where he served as Secretary and Treasurer. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Southwest Alabama Community Action Agency, where he further demonstrated his commitment to economic development and support for underserved communities.

On a personal note, I am blessed to be close friends with Commissioner Rhone and his family. As we celebrate Commissioner Rhone on his 70th birthday, we also celebrate his legacy, which is defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to others. His decades of work have strengthened communities, expanded opportunities, and inspired those who have had the privilege of working alongside him. Commissioner Rhone's impact reaches far beyond titles and offices--it is reflected in the countless lives he has touched. On this special occasion, may we honor not only another year of life but a lifetime of meaningful contributions. I congratulate him on a life well led and happy 70th birthday. Here's to many more years.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 70th birthday of an exceptional public servant, Commissioner Rhondel B. Rhone, for his service to Clarke County and the State of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues in celebration of Black History Month 2026, a time to recognize the extraordinary contributions that African Americans have made to the history and culture of America.

Black History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge the inventors, artists, changemakers, and everyday citizens who built this Nation and who continue to shape our shared destiny.

As the Representative of Alabama's Civil Rights District, I stand on the shoulders of visionary leaders who risked everything for a vision and a dream bigger than themselves. These are leaders like Rosa Parks; our former colleague, the Honorable John Lewis; Dr. King; Amelia Boynton Robinson; and so many others.

As a daughter of Selma, I know that their sacrifices brought us the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, daring this Nation to live up to its highest ideals of equality and justice for all.

Sadly, we live in a time when Black history and Black Americans are under attack. Old battles have indeed become new again.

Throughout the past year, our communities have been at the center of the chaos and destruction that this President and his administration have visited upon the American people.

President Trump has tried to whitewash our history. He has cut our healthcare, while giving tax breaks to billionaires. He has canceled Black History Month celebrations at the White House and targeted Black immigrants with racist smears. He has waged an all-out assault on the right to vote.

Just this week, the Trump administration arrested two Black journalists who were simply doing their jobs.

Right now, President Trump's cronies are fighting in the Supreme Court to undo what remains of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Their actions threaten to take us back to a time before the civil rights movement, a time when Black Americans were second-class citizens and discrimination was the law of the land.

In my home State of Alabama, Trump's attacks on Black Americans are on full display. Last year, his executive order led to the removal of the brave Tuskegee Airmen from the Air Force training manual. Just 2 months later, his administration tried to sell off the site of the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

While both of these decisions were eventually reversed, it was only because our community, the African-American community, spoke up and refused to be silent.

Mr. Speaker, these tactics are not new. They are borrowed from the same tired playbook that has been used for centuries to silence our voices and dilute our power. In these troubling times, we should take a lesson from the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement.

Shortly before his passing, Congressman John Lewis gave us a marching

order. He was frail and riddled with cancer. He went back on that bridge one last time. He told us to never give up, to never give in, to keep the faith, and to keep our eyes on the prize.

My friends, my fellow Congressional Black Caucus colleagues, we can be tired. We can be frustrated. We can be downright mad. What we cannot do is give up. We need to use our voices and call out injustice wherever it hides. We need to demand better from our elected officials. We must vote like we have never voted before.

I thank my colleagues on the Congressional Black Caucus for hosting this Special Order hour. I thank my colleague from Virginia (Ms. McClellan) for her tireless leadership in this effort.

This Black History Month must be more than just a celebration. It must be a call to action. Generations of Americans--past, present, and future--are counting on us to meet this moment with the urgency it demands.

Mr. Speaker, we must do so in the name of our foremothers and our forefathers. We must do so in the name of the future leaders of this Nation. We must do so because it is always right to do what is right.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 842, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act,

which was included in the funding package being considered by the House today.

Named in honor of my mother who lost her battle to pancreatic cancer in 2021, this legislation would expand access to cutting-edge cancer screenings for America's seniors, ensuring Medicare coverage for these emerging tools once they become FDA approved.

I am immensely grateful that this bill was led by Republican sponsor, Congressman Jodey Arrington, and the many organizations and patient advocacy groups who helped us push this bill across the finish line. I am giving a big shout-out to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, PanCAN, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the National Minority Quality Forum, and so many others.

Thanks to their tireless advocacy, H.R. 842 is the most cosponsored bill in the 119th Congress with 339 cosponsors in the House and 68 cosponsors in the Senate.

I ask my colleagues to support this important legislation. Rest in power, my sweet mother. We will beat cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride and profound gratitude to celebrate Founders' Day 2026 for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first Greek letter organization established for African-American college-educated women.

For 118 years, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has been a beacon of scholarship, sisterhood, and service, lighting the way for generations of women who dared to lead and uplift their communities.

As proud members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, we stand on the shoulders of visionary founders, who believed that excellence and service were not just aspirations but obligations. From advancing educational equity to promoting economic empowerment and civic engagement, the women of AKA continue to answer the call to serve with grace, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

Today, we honor our legacy, a 118-year legacy that has shaped leaders in every field and strengthened communities across this Nation. May we continue to carry forward our mission with purpose and pride.

Happy Founders' Day 2026 to my beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Let us continue to be of service to all mankind.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6500, the AGOA Extension Act.

For over two decades, AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, has affirmed America's commitment to expanding economic opportunity, creating jobs, strengthening strategic partnerships, and forging mutually beneficial economic bonds between the United States and our allies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Since its enactment in 2000, AGOA has provided duty-free access to the U.S. market for a broad range of goods from eligible AGOA sub- Saharan African countries. AGOA has enjoyed broad bicameral and bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans from both the House and the Senate.

By lowering barriers for African exports, AGOA expands demand for U.S. services and inputs--from agricultural equipment to digital and logistic services to energy and finance--supporting jobs at home and abroad.

In an era of global economic disruption, AGOA helps U.S. companies diversify supply sources and build resilient and market-oriented networks in key sectors, including textiles, agriculture, and renewable energy.

By providing preferential treatment for developing African countries, AGOA promotes U.S. strategic influence and democratic values, as well as economic prosperity. Eligibility under AGOA is directly tied to the progress by these developing African countries on market reform, rule of law, labor standards, and human rights.

The conditionality of this trade preference program harnesses trade as a catalyst for reform, not just revenue. Unfortunately, the AGOA program expired in September 2025, creating uncertainty for the future of America's relationship with the region.

The bill we are considering today will extend AGOA for 3 years and will send a clear message to the African Continent that we are committed to strengthening our shared prosperity.

Over the last few years, I have met directly with AGOA country leaders, civil society groups, and business communities about the importance of maintaining and improving the AGOA program.

I also had an opportunity to travel to Africa with Chairman Smith. To a person, they all said the same thing. While they wanted a 10-year reauthorization, and it was preferable, to a person they all said that we needed certainty in this program.

The fact that the program ended in September 2025 has been a serious source of concern for many. A clean, 3-year reauthorization is preferable to allowing AGOA to lapse because businesses require predictability and certainty.

Investment decisions cannot wait for prolonged negotiations or uncertainty. A lapse has caused immediate harm to African exporters and U.S. importers, disrupting supply chains and costing jobs on both sides.

Reauthorization preserves U.S. credibility. Letting AGOA expire signals disengagement at a time when competitors like Russia and China are deepening their presence across the continent.

Reforms can and should be considered, but holding the program hostage for a perfect bill is too high of a price to pay. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of moving forward today.

Africa provides an important growth opportunity for U.S. markets. Economic growth is rapidly accelerating on the African Continent. By 2050, one in four people in the world will be African. As women become more integrated into the formal economy and the young workforce is empowered by emerging technologies, the region is poised to be the next rising economic powerhouse in the 21st century.

Therefore, it is in America's national interest to strengthen our ties with the region and encourage this growth by deepening our trade relations. If we don't nurture this important relationship, China and others will. We can ill afford to allow others to fill the void.

AGOA is more than just about tariffs and duty-free access to markets. Passing this bill will demonstrate that Congress is committed to our long-term relationship with Africa. Most importantly, reauthorizing AGOA sends a very strong message that, even though the President's rhetoric toward many African countries has been a distraction, we in Congress do acknowledge the very important role that the continent of Africa plays.

To be clear, AGOA is not just a priority for the Congressional Black Caucus, although it is. It has been a decades-long bipartisan priority, and it stands as a proud example of America's commitment to deepening trust, stability, and shared prosperity with our AGOA allies.

I strongly support the 3-year reauthorization of the program. Moreover, during this extension, I hope we can continue our bipartisan efforts to modernize the program. I believe that we are making real progress on provisions that would strengthen enforcement, that would improve congressional oversight, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, improve utilization, and establish a smooth graduation path that encourages economic development.

Again, I thank Chairman Jason Smith, as well as Ranking Member Neal, for making AGOA a bipartisan priority for this committee. I also thank Ways and Means Chief Trade Counsel Alexandra Whittaker for her tireless efforts on this issue.

I strongly urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill and to send a strong signal to our African allies that leaders in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, respect and value our continued partnership.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

May I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I again thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal, as well as Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Sanchez of the Subcommittee on Trade for working so hard to make sure that we reauthorize AGOA.

Last year alone, AGOA imports totaled $8 billion. Moreover, since 2002, AGOA has spurred more than $500 billion in exports to the United States.

However, this year, the impact of the reciprocal tariffs, coupled with the expiration of AGOA on September 30, threaten to erode 25 years of economic cooperation.

If we fail to act, we will likely see weakening supply chains and increased poverty across the continent. Moreover, many industries could shift investments away from Africa and toward Asia. Sub-Saharan African exports to China have overtaken exports to the United States. We should not allow this trend to continue.

AGOA remains a centerpiece of United States trade in that region, and turning our backs on Africa at this critical time would be disastrous. Africa is diversifying their economy. It is expanding past textiles and agriculture. The service sector is growing rapidly, and women are beginning to get opportunities to enter the formal workforce.

During my visits to several African countries over the years, and most recently with Chairman Smith, I witnessed personally the benefit of AGOA, and I witnessed the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. As internet access becomes broadly available, rapid economic growth and opportunity will follow.

We have the ability to benefit from this inevitable growth in Sub- Saharan Africa, and we should do something about it.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be a part of this committee and a part of this bipartisan effort to make sure we do just that.

In closing, I quote the first African-American chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, Charlie Rangel, and what he said about AGOA. He is often known as the father of AGOA. Charlie said: ``Since it was enacted in 2000, AGOA has been the cornerstone of the U.S. trade policy with Sub-Saharan Africa and has been a true success.''

AGOA has further contributed to diversification and competitiveness of Sub-Saharan Africa's economies and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent and the United States. I can think of no better way for America to continue to expand its trade relationships with Africa than reauthorizing this very important piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I again ask my colleagues to vote in favor of this reauthorization and extend a warm and hearty thank you to Chairman Smith for making sure that this remains a bipartisan effort and we are getting it across the finish line.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding me time.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 6504, a 3-year extension of the Haiti HOPE/HELP trade preference program, one of the most important tools for promoting economic stability, job creation, and long-term development in Haiti.

The Haitian people have faced enormous hardships in recent years, after suffering successive political and environmental tragedies. Now is the time for Congress to demonstrate our support for the Haitian people and to promote trade policies that promote stability and spur economic development in Haiti.

In 2020, I led the bipartisan effort to reauthorize the U.S.- Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, which works together with the Haiti HOPE/HELP program to ensure that the manufacturing sector stays invested in Haiti.

For more than a decade, HELP/HOPE has been a lifeline for Haiti's fragile economy. The program allows Haitian manufacturers to export certain goods to the United States duty-free, providing critical market access that has helped to sustain 50,000 jobs, many held by women, and anchor one of the few reliable industries in that country.

However, Haiti HOPE/HELP is not just a development initiative. It is a mutually beneficial partnership. American companies rely on Haiti as a near-shore sourcing location that is close to U.S. markets, supports resilient supply chains, and provides competitively priced apparel that helps keep costs affordable for American consumers. This partnership strengthens both of our economies and creates opportunity abroad while boosting economic activity right here at home.

Today, however, Haiti faces extraordinary political unrest, economic strain, and humanitarian need. Just as families are struggling to afford basic goods, this vital program is set to expire. Without this critical trade preference, Haitian exporters will face sudden and steep tariff increases. For many factories, these added costs are unsustainable. This result would be devastating: widespread job loss, factory closings, and further destabilization of a country already in crisis.

We should be clear about what is at stake. Allowing Haiti HOPE/HELP to lapse would not only undercut one of the few functioning economic pillars in Haiti, but it would also push families deeper into hardship, increasing migration pressures, and eliminating a key source of stability in our hemisphere.

Congress must act now. Businesses rely on this critical program both in Haiti and the United States. Workers need the reassurance that these jobs will not vanish overnight. Our close neighbor, just 700 miles from our shore, needs the continued support of this very important program.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for her leadership. I thank the chair, Chair Jason Smith, as well as Ranking Member Neal for ensuring that this bill continues to have bipartisan priority in our committee.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this extension and to protect the partnership that delivers real and measurable benefits for both Haiti and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of restoring the Affordable Care Act tax credits and lowering healthcare costs for millions of Americans.

As of January 1, more than 400,000 Alabamians faced higher premiums because Republicans in this body let the ACA tax credits expire. That is on top of the nearly $1 trillion in cuts that Republicans made to healthcare earlier this year.

Today's vote represents one more chance for Republicans to do the right thing, reverse their disastrous policies, and join Democrats in making healthcare more affordable.

Let's make no mistake: This vote would not have taken place had it not been for the relentless efforts of House Democrats and our leader, Hakeem Jeffries. I urge my Republican colleagues to vote ``yes'' to restore the ACA credits and lower healthcare costs. In the words of Dr. King: ``The time is always right to do what is right.''

Mr. Speaker, let us restore the ACA tax credits.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill.

In a matter of days, roughly 130,000 people in my home State of Alabama will lose their healthcare coverage because Republicans in this body refuse to extend the ACA tax credits. Millions of Americans will find themselves one diagnosis away from bankruptcy.

Rather than addressing the crisis that they created, Republicans are pushing legislation that will make matters worse. Not only does this bill fail to extend the tax credits, but it promotes junk insurance plans that will rip off consumers and make healthcare even more unaffordable.

House Republicans are incapable of dealing with our Nation's affordability crisis. They should stop their political games and put the bipartisan Jeffries bills on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, we deserve better. My constituents deserve better. Every American deserves better.