Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act

Enumerated powers · passes

Congress has express authority to lay and collect duties and to regulate commerce with foreign nations under Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 and Clause 3. The Uniformity Clause of Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 requires geographic uniformity, not identical treatment of all nations, so country-specific tariff preferences for Haitian apparel are within Congress's foreign commerce and taxing powers.

Bill of Rights · passes

The bill grants trade benefits and provides for duty refunds. It does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, the press, petition, the right to keep and bear arms, search and seizure protections, self-incrimination, due process, trial rights, jury rights, or any other protection in the first ten amendments.

Individual liberty · passes

This bill does not restrict what any person may do with their own person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It imposes no new obligations or prohibitions on individuals. Because no individual liberty is burdened, no compelling governmental justification is required.

Decentralization · passes

Foreign trade and tariffs are inherently national matters. An individual, family, local community, or state cannot set uniform tariff rules for imports from Haiti. The action is taken at the federal level, which is the minimum necessary level of government for foreign commerce regulation, and does not consolidate power above the constitutional assignment.

Due process and takings · passes

The bill provides a fair administrative process for requesting duty refunds through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including a 90-day deadline for refunds. It does not deprive anyone of property; it restores tariff treatment and refunds duties previously paid. The retroactive refund is remedial and does not impair vested rights, so it does not violate the Fifth Amendment's Due Process or Takings Clauses.