Beatty Votes to Reopen Export-Import Bank
Beatty Votes to Reopen Export-Import Bank
Joins overwhelming bipartisan coalition to revive proven job-creator
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined a bipartisan coalition in supporting a renewal of the Export-Import Bank's charter, which expired on June 30, 2015. The legislation, Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015, H.R. 597, passed by a vote of 313-118.
"The American people are clamoring for Congress to do its job and help hard-working American families and businesses get ahead. Today, I proudly voted to revive the Export-Import Bank, a job-creating organization that reduces the federal deficit," said Rep. Beatty. "My caucus was joined by a bloc of Republican Members who crossed the aisle using a historic discharge petition in voting in opposition to Republican leadership."
A member of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services, Beatty is a supporter of the renewal of the Bank's Charter. She hasadvocated on the House Floor, spoken at press conferencesand committee hearings, engaged national media, written opinion pieces, and visited with businesses that use the Bank in her Congressional District.
The charter for the Export-Import Bank of the United States expired on June 30, 2015. Members of Congress, both Republicans (42) and Democrats (176), signed a discharge petition led by GOP Rep. Fincher (TN-08) to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank until September 30, 2019. A discharge petition has not been successfully used since 2002. Beatty was the 42nd Member and 6th Democrat to sign the petition. Today's vote allows the legislation to be considered by the U.S. Senate.
Since 2007, in Ohio's 3rd Congressional District which Beatty represents, 14 businesses, including 8 small businesses, one minority-owned business and one female-owned business, have benefited from the Export-Import Bank, with more than $71 million in exports directly supported by the Bank. Also, in Ohio the Bank has supported: $2.71 billion in export sales, 326 companies, and 17,340 jobs. In addition to the individual businesses specifically impacted by the Ex-Im Bank, business and labor groups including the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and AFL-CIO have been urging reauthorization of the Bank's charter.
Before today's vote, Beatty spoke on the House Floor in support of the Bank. Her full remarks, as prepared for delivery are below:
The American people are clamoring for Congress to do its job and help hard-working American families get ahead. We can do that today by reviving the Export-Import Bank, a job-creating organization that reduces the federal deficit.
Earlier this month, I stood with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues to sign the historic discharge petition to bring this bill to the floor. And, last night, my Caucus and some Republicans joined together to force today's vote on reviving the Export-Import Bank.
The Bank is a vital source of job creation in my district, Ohio's Third District, and across our nation. In my district, 14 businesses, including 8 small businesses, one minority-owned business and one female-owned business, used the Export-Import Bank to support $71 million in exports at no cost to American taxpayers.
The evidence is clear, let us renew the Bank's charter without delay!
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