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Ways and Means Committee
Markup Session of the Extension of AGOA
On December 10, 2025, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup session and approved the AGOA Extension Act (H.R. 6500), advancing it to the full House for consideration. The bill retroactively extends the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through December 31, 2028, ensuring the continuity of duty-free trade benefits for eligible African countries.
During the markup, the Committee advanced several other key pieces of legislation, including the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act, which aligns Haiti’s trade preferences with the same 2028 timeline, H.R. 4930 on intellectual property rights in trade, and more. Together, these actions reflect a broad and active markup agenda.
Significance of the AGOA Extension
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Trade Stability: Prevents disruption in U.S.–Africa trade flows by retroactively covering the lapse since September 30, 2025.
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Economic Impact: Supports African exporters in textiles, agriculture, and manufacturing, while benefiting U.S. importers and consumers.
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Policy Alignment: Reinforces the U.S. commitment to Africa’s economic integration, complementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and initiatives such as AfrICANDO.
From here, the House leadership schedules the bill for debate and a vote. If the House passes it, the Senate takes up the legislation for its own review, markup, and floor action by the full Chamber. If the two chambers approve different versions, negotiators convene a conference committee to reconcile the differences. After both chambers approve the final unified bill, Congress sends it to President Trump for signature and enactment into law.
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