Congressman Dan Kildee, Coalition of Republicans and Democrats Force Vote to Reopen Export-Import Bank

Discharge Petition Latest Effort by Kildee to Support U.S. Small Businesses, Boost Manufacturing Jobs by Reauthorizing Bank

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today, along with a bipartisan coalition of 186 Democrats and 127 Republicans, voted in favor of immediately reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), which due to congressional inaction has been shuttered since the end of June. The vote to renew Ex-Im came through a rarely-used procedural move called a discharge petition, which, if it garners a majority of those in the House – 218 Representatives – can force a vote on a particular piece of legislation. Once the Senate passes its version of today’s bill, the bank will resume its role of supporting over a million private sector jobs and boosting small businesses across the country. “Today’s vote to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank is a victory for American workers and small businesses,” Congressman Kildee said. “It is sad that a majority of House Republicans have blocked this critical legislation for months from moving forward, but I am happy to see both Democrats and a number of reasonable Republicans come together to support American workers and businesses.” Ex-Im is a critical tool that helps Michigan businesses secure financing in order to grow their exports around the globe. Over the last six years, Ex-Im has financed the sale of more than $200 billion in U.S. exports and supports over a million private sector jobs, including 59,693 jobs in Michigan. The Ex-Im Bank has historically garnered strong bipartisan support. Prior to today, Ex-Im has been reauthorized 16 times in the bank’s 81-year history. However, earlier this year the Republican-led Congress blocked its reauthorization, preventing the bank from engaging in any new business after its charter expired at the end of June. About 90 percent of Ex-Im’s transactions last year benefited small businesses, including mid-Michigan businesses such as Amigo Mobility International in Bridgeport, Atlas Technologies in Fenton, B&P Process Equipment and Systems in Saginaw, Genova Products in Davison, Murphy Water Well Bits in Davison and Ronald A. Chisolm USA in Linden. A wide bipartisan coalition of business organizations have supported reauthorizing Ex-Im, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Small Business Association. Today’s vote will reauthorize Ex-Im through 2019. Congressman Kildee is one of 218 bipartisan signatories to the discharge petition, which was brought forward by Rep. Steven Fincher (TN-08). Congressman Kildee’s support of the discharge petition and Rep. Fincher’s bill is his latest effort to reauthorize Ex-Im. In July, he held an export roundtable with the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and mid-Michigan businesses, where he advocated for the reauthorization of the bank. He is also one of two Democratic Members of Congress on the President’s Export Council, the principal advisory committee on international trade, where he has advocated for the bank’s reauthorization.