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Congressman Dan Kildee Votes to Support Michigan Jobs, Reauthorize Export-Import Bank

November 15, 2019

Export-Import Bank Supports 137 Michigan Businesses Export Products Overseas, Creating Local Jobs

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 4863, the United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019. This critical legislation helps to grow Michigan's economy and create local jobs by reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), which supports 137 small businesses in Michigan that export $3 billion in products overseas.

This legislation reauthorizes the Ex-Im Bank for ten years, increases its lending authority and requires more lending to small businesses, especially those that are women- or minority-owned businesses. The legislation also supports more lending for renewable energy and energy efficiency exports.

"The Export Import Bank is a critical tool that helps Michigan businesses secure financing to grow their exports around the world," Congressman Kildee said. "In Michigan alone, the Export Import Bank supports tens of thousands of Michigan jobs and nearly 150 businesses are able to bring their products to market. I am proud to have voted to reauthorize the Export Import Bank and will continue working in Congress to expand our economy and create Michigan jobs."

The Ex-Im Bank is the official export credit agency of the United States. It helps sustain American jobs by financing the production of ‘Made in the USA' products and services through loan guarantees, insurance, and access to working capital. 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, WGS Global Services in Flint, and Ronald A. Chisolm USA in Linden.

The bill enjoys a broad base of support from organizations including the AFL-CIO, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, IFPTE, and National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The reauthorization of the Export Import Bank legislation today in the House is the latest action by the new Democratic majority to make Congress work for the people. In recent weeks the House passed other key pieces of legislation that awaits action in the U.S. Senate, including:

  • H.R. 1, the For the People Act, to expand voting rights for Americans, reduce the dominance of big money in politics, and ensure that public officials work for the people, not special interests.
  • H.R. 8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act, long-overdue gun violence prevention legislation that requires background checks for gun sales and transfers to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and bad actors.
  • H.R. 7, the Pay Check Fairness Act, which strengthens and closes loopholes in existing law, including the 1963 Equal Pay Act, to help ensure that women and men get paid the same if they are doing the same work.
  • H.J. Res 46, a privileged resolution to terminate President Trump's national emergency declaration to illegally fund his border wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
  • H.R. 1585, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which seeks to end instances of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by improving law enforcement response to violence and funding local programs to support victims.
  • H.R. 1644, the Save the Internet Act, which restores net neutrality protections, ensuring that the internet is open to all Americans and free from interference.
  • H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, which requires the Trump Administration to remain in the Paris Climate Accord, a global effort to combat climate change and its impacts.
  • H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which helps to protect families from predatory junk insurance plans that do not offer comprehensive health care coverage, including coverage for pre-existing conditions.
  • H.R. 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, which would help to rein in the soaring costs of health care and prescription drugs.
  • H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would ensure that all Americans—including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans—would be protected from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
  • H.R. 1994, the SECURE Act, which makes it easier for workers to save for retirement and invests in apprenticeship programs that help people get the training and skills they need for high-wage jobs.
  • H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides a path to lawful permanent resident status, and eventual citizenship, for DREAMers and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
  • H.R. 2722, the SAFE Act, which strengthens America's election infrastructure and protects voters from potential hacking and manipulation of votes.
  • H.R. 582, the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the paychecks of all American workers by gradually increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025.
  • H.R. 397, the Butch Lewis Act, which would protect the hard-earned retirement benefits of workers by boosting financially-troubled multiemployer pension plans, including the Central State Pension Fund that largely covers Michigan workers

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