*GOP’s Export-Import Bank Shutdown

MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP

This week, I was deeply disappointed that House Republicans failed to take action to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank before its charter expires on June 30.

Charter authority for the Export-Import Bank is set to expire this coming Tuesday, should Congress fail to reauthorize it – which apparently we are going to fail to do.

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference with House and Senate Democratic leaders, where he discussed today’s King v. Burwell Supreme Court decision and the need for Republicans to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank and take action on the Highway Trust Fund:

ICYMI, yesterday House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal about a number of issues, including reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.  Unfortunately, his discussion of the Bank was littered with inaccuracies, so we thought we’d be helpful and offer an annotated version (with important things called “facts”) here:

I thank the gentleman for repeating for a third time his answer to me. Mr. Speaker, I would simply observe sadly that the representation ‘the House can work its will’ on an issue of great importance to the United States and to jobs in the United States will not be brought to this Floor, notwithstanding the fact that 180 Democrats have signed a discharge petition and 60 Republicans filed a bill to extend the Export-Import Bank.

Republicans in Congress are joining Democrats and business owners across the country in urging their Republican leaders to schedule a vote to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank before its charter expires on June 30. 

MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP

This week, House Republicans brought to the Floor two appropriations bills that once again rely on irresponsible sequester level funding. Instead of working with Democrats to replace the sequester and make smart investments in America’s future, Republicans passed a Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill that cuts funding for public safety and research.

As you’ve heard, we have just three weeks or twelve legislative days until the Export-Import Bank shuts down – not entirely, as Congressman [Heck] indicated, but for all intents and purposes of new loans. We must not let that happen.