Ed Royce: “I would explain to my colleagues at the outset that I, frankly, think we should voice vote this amendment without…”

“I would explain to my colleagues at the outset that I, frankly, think we should voice vote this amendment without objection. I think it is misguided to oppose it because this amendment is not part of this fight over Ex-Im. What this fight is over, what this amendment is over, is my experience in terms of the President using waivers. I will explain to you my worry if we don't close this loophole, which I frankly think it would be very easy to close because I think the Senate would agree with us. But Export-Import Bank loans and guarantees obviously would be absolutely off limits to state sponsors of terrorism if we write the law correctly. The worst of the worst--Iran, Syria, Sudan--should have the Bank door slammed shut, period. That is what this amendment does. No administration wiggle room, none at all. One country where the Ex-Im has not operated in recent years is Iran. This is because of our sanctions. But, of course, much of this sanctions regime is going to be suspended, misguidedly, as part of the President's nuclear deal. So what does that mean? For one, the administration is committed to making it possible for Iran to purchase commercial aircraft. I think we can all agree, Ex-Im supporters and opponents alike, that Iran should not be entitled to American taxpayer-financed aircraft deals. Iran has a long history of using its commercial airlines to support its terrorist proxies. Its commercial flights are now flying military personnel to Syria.…”