Washington, DC — Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) achieved a significant economic victory for African nations last night when the House passed bi-partisan legislation led by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel to make changes to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

Inside the chairman’s legislation is Rep. McDermott’s previous stand-alone bill, H.R. 5059, to repeal the Abundant Supply Provision in the African Growth and Opportunity Act, because it has significantly curtailed the manufacture and export of clothing from several African nations officially classified as lesser developed nations, and to add Mauritius to the list.

“We are building on what we have done in the past legislatively through AGOA to assist the lesser developed nations of Africa, but more importantly, we are demonstrating what we stand for as a nation in caring about other countries and the role we intend to play as a world leader to promote economic and social justice,” Rep. McDermott said.

McDermott added that the repeal of the Abundant Supply Provision was the top priority expressed by African trade ministers during an international conference held two weeks ago in Washington, D.C.

He noted the bi-partisan nature of the legislation that was passed last night and praised the leadership of Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander Levin, and Ranking Ways and Means Member Jim McCrery, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger.

McDermott was selected to manage passage of the legislation in the House and he gave the following remarks about the legislation, his colleagues and the excellent work done behind the scenes by staff for the various Members on both sides of the aisle.