Political Quotes

“for many years now the Ex-Im Bank, which is referred to as the Export-Import Bank, has helped American companies grow and sell their products overseas. For those same years the Ex-Im Bank has enjoyed broad bipartisan support. It was a good idea when it started and it is still a good idea. When it was last authorized in 2006, the Ex-Im Bank passed the House by voice vote and the Senate by unanimous consent. The unanimous consent request was offered by a Republican Senator. So when Senate Democrats brought the reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank before the Senate last week, we hoped the legislation would proceed with bipartisan, bicameral support as it did in 2006. After all, the measure will support about 300,000 jobs annually and help American exports continue to compete in the global economy. It passed the Banking Committee here in the Senate unanimously. It had three Republican cosponsors and is backed by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Business Round Table, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and various labor unions, including Machinists. It will actually reduce the deficit by $1 billion. The Ex-Im Bank is one of the proposals we shouldn't have to argue over. This isn't something that deserves a fight. We should reauthorize it and move on quickly. But I am sorry to say, true to form, the Republican leadership--I am directing that to the House Republican leadership--this morning is once again spoiling for a fight where there shouldn't be a fight.…”