House Advances AGOA, HOPE, and HELP Act Reauthorization in Government Funding Bill

House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith backed legislation that pairs a government shutdown avoidance measure with reauthorization of AGOA, the HOPE Act, and the HELP Act, preserving preferential trade access for sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti. The statement highlights securing critical mineral supply chains and countering Chinese economic influence in Africa as central justifications.