Doug Bereuter: “In fact, the legislation that we will take up tomorrow will be requiring an increase of Ex-Im Bank funds for small…”

“In fact, the legislation that we will take up tomorrow will be requiring an increase of Ex-Im Bank funds for small business--a requirement of not less than 20%. Already, 86 percent of the transactions of the Export-Import Bank do involve small business. This is not a question about sending a message to the Export-Import Bank by failing to approve this 1-month extension today. This is a very serious matter for it would not be just a 24-hour hiatus. This, in fact, will disturb the Ex-Im transactions now under review. It will be particularly damaging to the small business community, as I pointed out in my earlier remarks. If the House does not vote in favor of Ex-Im's 30-day reauthorization, the bank will not be able to transact any new business until there is agreement between the House and the Senate on the terms of Ex-Im's reauthorization. In fact, the unfortunate message that would be sent is a real one to American exporters that we have no confidence in the Export-Import Bank. First of all, the Export-Import Bank is not corporate welfare. As I mentioned, 86 percent of Ex-Im's transactions are with small businesses.”