U.S. Rep. Karen Bass Statement on Passage of African Growth and Opportunity Act
Aug 2, 2012 Issues: Foreign Policy
WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights made the following statement in response to the passage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the U.S. House of Representatives. Bass has worked with a bipartisan group of Members in the House and Senate, as well as the African Diplomatic Corps to ensure this legislation was quickly passed to prevent any further job losses among African families who depend on the stability of the U.S. and African trade agreement.
“After months and months of work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate, and African diplomats, I am pleased and relieved to finally be able to bring legislation to President Obama’s desk that promotes the apparel industries of both Africa and the United States, creates thousands of jobs for African families, in particular African women, and strengthens the U.S.-Africa trade relationship. My hope is that AGOA and its Third Country Fabric Provision serves as a catalyst for future economic development in Africa and sets the building blocks for a substantive trading relationship for the U.S. and Africa’s nation in the future.”
