Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall, Governor Ron DeSantis has requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support Florida's response and recovery efforts. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and members...
Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall in Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined the U.S. Coast Guard to survey impacted areas across the State. Photos are courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office. Senator Rubio joins the U.S. Coast Guard for a flyover...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to potentially hinder or obstruct the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to impact Florida with devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. After just being hit by Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial for the State of Florida to have the support of the federal government. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio...
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize a trade law that has benefited the United States, and 23 countries in the Caribbean basin, for nearly 20 years.
El texto de la carta en inglés está Extension of the Caribbean Economic Recovery Act, would extend, until 2030, duty-free access for certain textile goods from 23 Caribbean countries that are made with U.S. yarns, fabrics and threads. These trade preferences have stimulated the region’s developing economy while promoting exports of U.S. cotton and input materials abroad.
“Extending these targeted trade preferences through 2030 will help to boost key American exports in a crucial region for U.S. national security interests and hemispheric stability,” Rubio said. “I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill, which will reaffirm our nation’s commitment to developing deeper commercial and economic ties with Haiti and our other allies in the Caribbean.”
“For nearly 20 years, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act has stimulated jobs and investment,” Isakson said. “Not only does this program aid Georgia and American cotton growers, textile producers and U.S. trade in general, it is beneficial to our regional allies. It is a win-win-win prospect, and I hope we can quickly pass this reauthorization to maintain this alliance and encourage future investment.”
“The countries in the Caribbean Basin are increasingly vital trade partners for American companies—stimulating economic growth here at home and in the region,” Cardin said. “I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act so we can continue create jobs while we strengthen the relationship between the United States and countries in the Caribbean Basin.”
“The Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act has been crucial to lifting people out of poverty and providing markets for our farmers and textile industry,” Jones said. “Reauthorizing this agreement is critical to our economy and our partnerships with our neighbors and allies in the Caribbean and now more than ever, it’s vital that we work across the aisle to strategically grow new markets for US exports.”
Preferences under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act extended by this bill were enacted by Congress in 2000 and extended in 2010. Without reauthorization, the legislation would expire in September 2020.
Since its inception, yarn and fabric exports made from U.S.-grown cotton have doubled. In 2018, these exports accounted for 430,000 bales of U.S. cotton.
U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) introduced companion legislation in the House along with cosponsors Alcee Hastings (D-FL), David Schweikert (R-AZ), John Lewis (D-GA), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Steve Chabot (R-OH).