WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 6504 · 119th Congress

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act

Passed HouseForeign Trade and International Finance
IntroducedDec 9, 2025
Passed HouseJan 12, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jan 13, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. The House passed it 345–45. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson did not vote, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote. It would change 1 section of existing law and would add 2 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 6504 would change 1 section of existing law, and would create 2 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jan 13, 2026).

19 U.S.C. 2703a Special rules for Haiti

  • The section as a whole rewritten · Sec. 2(2) · see the words
  • (b) Apparel and other textile articles rewritten · Sec. 2(1) · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 Restoration of eligibility of certain articles for preferential treatment
  • Sec. 4 Retroactive application
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 19 U.S.C. 2703a(b)(1)rewrittenby H.R. 6504 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by amending subparagraph (B)(v)(I) to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (19 U.S.C. 2703a)

  2. 19 U.S.C. 2703a(b)(1)rewrittenby H.R. 6504 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (19 U.S.C. 2703a)

  3. 19 U.S.C. 2703a(b)(2)changedby H.R. 6504 Sec. 2(1)

    …components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns from which the article is made. Except as provided in paragraph (2A), the preferential treatment described in clause (i) shall be extended, in the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2008, and in each of the 16 succeeding 1-year periodsin any of the succeeding 1-year periods, to not more than 70,000,000 square meter equivalents of apparel articles described in such clause. Any apparel article that qualifies for preferential treatment under paragraph (1), (3), (4), or (5) or subparagraph (B) of this paragraph or any other provision of this chapter shall not be subject to, or included in the calculation of, the quantitative limitation under clause (ii). Any apparel article classifiable under chapter 61 of the HTS that is wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape, in Haiti from any combination of fabrics, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns and is imported directly from Haiti or the Dominican Republic shall enter the United States free of duty, subject to clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), without regard to the source of the fabric, fabric components, components knit-to-shape, or yarns from which the article is made. The preferential treatment described in clause (i) shall not apply to the following: (I) The following apparel articles of cotton, for men or boys, that are classifiable under subheading 6109.10.00 of the HTS: (aa) All white T-shirts, with short hemmed sleeves and hemmed bottom, with crew or round neckline or with V-neck and with a mitered seam at the center of the V, and without pockets, trim, or embroidery. (bb) All white singlets, without pockets, trim, or embroidery. (cc) Other T-shirts, but not including thermal undershirts. (II) T-shirts for men or boys that are classifiable under subheading 6109.90.10. (III) The following apparel articles of cotton, for men or boys, that are classifiable under subheading 6110.20.20 of the HTS: (aa) Sweatshirts. (bb) Pullovers, other than sweaters, vests, or garments imported as part of playsuits. (IV) Sweatshirts for men or boys, of man-made fibers and containing less than 65 percent by weight of man-made fibers, that are classifiable under subheading 6110.30.30 of the HTS. Except as provided in paragraph (2A), the preferential treatment described in clause (i) shall be extended, in the 1-year period beginning October 1, 2008, and in each of the 16 succeeding 1-year periodsin any of the succeeding 1-year periods, to not more than 70,000,000 square meter equivalents of apparel articles described in such clause. Any apparel article that qualifies for preferential treatment under paragraph (1), (3), (4), or (5) or subparagraph (A) of this paragraph…

    The bill says: in paragraph (2), by striking "in each of the 16 succeeding 1-year periods" each place it appears and inserting "in any of the succeeding 1-year periods"; and

    Bill text · Current law (19 U.S.C. 2703a)

  4. 19 U.S.C. 2703arewrittenby H.R. 6504 Sec. 2(2)

    The bill says: by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (19 U.S.C. 2703a)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act

This bill extends through December 31, 2028, the special duty-free rules for various apparel products imported from Haiti, including the duty-free treatment provided for a limited amount (referred to as tariff preference levels) of certain apparel products assembled in and imported from Haiti.

The bill directs the President to proclaim such modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) that may be necessary to restore preferential treatment to articles that became ineligible for such treatment due to prior revisions to the HTS.

The bill also provides for the refund of duties (i.e., liquidation or reliquidation of entries) on covered articles from Haiti that entered into the United States on or after September 30, 2025, and before the date of this bill's enactment. A request for liquidation or reliquidation must be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the request must contain sufficient information for CBP to locate the entry or, if the entry cannot be located, reconstruct the entry. CBP must refund any duties previously paid with respect to the entry within 90 days.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Dec 30, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Jan 13, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.Senate
  2. Jan 12, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Jan 12, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 45 (Roll no. 15). (text: CR H642) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Jan 12, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 45 (Roll no. 15). (text: CR H642) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Jan 12, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H647)House floor actions
  6. Jan 12, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
  7. Jan 12, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6504.House floor actions
  8. Jan 12, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H642-645)House floor actions
  9. Jan 12, 2026Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  10. Dec 30, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 364.House floor actions
  11. Dec 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-418.House floor actions
  12. Dec 30, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-418.Library of Congress
  13. Dec 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.House committee actions
  14. Dec 10, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  15. Dec 9, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.House floor actions
  16. Dec 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  17. Dec 9, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jan 12, 2026 · HousePassed 345–45
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson did not vote, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn did not vote
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 146 yes, 45 noD 199 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Smith R-NE-3