President Barack Obama, center, with Paul Sullivan, left, Vice President of International Business Development at Acrow Bridge, and Susan Jaime, right, CEO Ferra Coffee International, during his meeting with small business owners to discuss the importance of the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press
ERICA WERNER, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chiding Congress in no uncertain terms, President Barack Obama warned Wednesday that American businesses are suffering while the Export-Import Bank lapses, and called on lawmakers to reauthorize the bank within days.
With Congress nearing its annual August recess, Obama said the U.S. “cannot leave these businesses hanging” by punting a vote to renew the bank until after Congress returns. He said it was a “shame” that the bank had been allowed to expire, and said the lapse puts the U.S. at a disadvantage because “every other advanced country has a program like this” to promote its exports.
“We cannot unilaterally disarm,” Obama said during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room with small businesses affected by the bank’s expiration. “Orders are on hold. Businesses are in danger We need to get this done.”
An obscure federal agency unknown to most Americans, the Export-Import Bank underwrites loans to foreign companies that are purchasing American products, which helps U.S. businesses successfully market their products overseas. Conservatives denounce it as corporate welfare, although Obama insisted that’s not the case. He said the U.S. Treasury actually benefits because the government makes money from the bank.
The bank’s charter expired June 30 for the first time in its 81-year history because of congressional inaction. With conservative opponents celebrating its demise, prospects to revive it are uncertain.
Supporters in the Senate are hoping to add it to must-pass highway legislation now being considered — and they have the votes to prevail — but the underlying highway legislation may run into trouble. The House has passed its own, shorter highway bill without the Export-Import Bank included, and House Republicans are opposed to the Senate bill.
The White House not only supports adding the bank’s reauthorization to the bill, but “insists” that it be added to the crucial highway legislation, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Wednesday.
Complicating matters, Congress’ legislative session is drawing near its close, so supporters face the prospect of running out of time to push the Export-Import Bank across the finish line before lawmakers leave Washington for their annual August recess.
“This should be a no-brainer,” Obama said.
The bank cannot currently make new loans or guarantees but remains in business to service billions in outstanding loans and guarantees. However its funding runs out Sept. 30 so if Congress does not act before then to revive it, its outlook becomes even more shaky.
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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP and Erica Werner at http://twitter.com/ericawerner
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