WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators and Senate Banking Committee members Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) received statements of support from cosponsors and business leaders, as well as positive press coverage, following the release of their bill to reauthorize the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for 10 years.
Cosponsors
“Export-Import Bank loans directly benefit dozens of Missouri businesses, from car part manufacturers to ag producers and more,” said Senator Blunt. “I’m proud to support this bill, which will help our state remain competitive in an increasingly competitive global economy.”
“From Spokane and Vancouver to Ellensburg and Hoquiam, EXIM supports jobs throughout Washington state,” said Senator Cantwell. “In the last decade alone, it has supported more than one million jobs nationwide. This bill will ensure that EXIM can continue to provide financing that U.S. companies need to reach growing global markets, create American jobs, and grow our economy.”
“The Export-Import Bank has strived to make exporting American goods and services easy for both large corporations and small businesses, helping to create and sustain U.S. jobs while providing a net profit to taxpayers,” said Senator Collins. “Thousands of businesses across the country rely on the Export-Import Bank, including many in Maine that have exported more than $145 million in goods with the Bank’s support as of 2018. By reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank for 10 years, this bipartisan bill would help create certainty for businesses seeking new markets for their products.”
“Delaware businesses rely on the Export-Import Bank to access foreign markets, boost sales, and create good jobs here at home,” said Senator Coons. “The EXIM Bank is exactly the kind of tool that American businesses need to compete in an increasingly global economy, and I’m proud to work with both Republican and Democratic colleagues to ensure that EXIM can help American businesses for years to come.”
“This reauthorization bill would be huge for South Carolina manufacturers and manufacturers across the country,” said Senator Graham. “I thank my Senate colleagues for working to keep the EXIM Bank up and running. A fully operating EXIM Bank makes money for the American taxpayer and allows American manufacturers to compete for business in the developing world on a level playing field.”
“To compete globally, New Hampshire and American businesses need the support of the Export-Import Bank to help facilitate billions of dollars in trade,” said Senator Hassan. “I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank to ensure that American companies aren’t placed at a disadvantage in the international market.”
Industry Groups
"We need long-term certainty that the EXIM Bank will be able to continue helping manufacturers of all types and sizes secure new sales overseas that support well-paying American jobs,” said National Association of Manufacturers Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey. “This bipartisan legislation—through its 10-year reauthorization of the agency and fixes to its past quorum issues—will help do just that and marks an important step forward toward reauthorization.”
“Today, the Senate took a critical first step toward ensuring the U.S. Export-Import Bank can continue its vital work past September 30, the day the Bank’s authorization expires,” said the Aerospace Industries Association. “The bipartisan bill … would not only reauthorize the bank, it would also make the Bank even more effective.”
“WCCO Belting in Wahpeton, N.D., is a 65-year-old, small family-owned rubber conveyor belt manufacturing company that supplies its products to major farm equipment companies around the world. For the past 18 years, the Export-Import Bank has allowed WCCO Belting to pursue export opportunities it had previously been ignoring,” said WCCO Belting CEO and President Thomas Shorma. “With the support of Export-Import Bank, in 2016 WCCO Belting became the first company in North Dakota history to be named the Presidents E-Star recipient for 10 consecutive years of exporting growth. It is the highest recognition award given to exporters by the U.S. government.”
“Arizona’s job creators deeply appreciate Sen. Sinema’s bipartisan efforts to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, a critical tool for Arizona manufacturers seeking to access the global market. A long-term reauthorization of the EXIM would be especially good news to Arizona small businesses,” said Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Glenn Hamer. “The EXIM facilitates the purchase of goods made by smaller firms as well as those made by larger original equipment manufacturers whose supply chains rely on small and medium-sized manufacturers. In fact, on average, more than 90 percent of the EXIM’s transactions support small businesses. Over its lifetime, the EXIM has delivered a positive return for U.S. taxpayers and has helped ensure U.S. manufacturers’ ability to compete around the globe. The EXIM deserves reauthorization. We thank Sen. Sinema for her leadership on this important issue and we look forward to working with her to see the bill through to passage.”
"EXIM increases our ability to provide quality jobs in one of the most elite manufacturing sectors, aerospace and in support of our nation's defense," said Kildeer Mountain Manufacturing (KMM) Vice President of Business Development Kristin Hedger. "KMM and other small-to-medium sized manufactures value the engaged leadership demonstrated by Sen. Cramer and our North Dakota congressional delegation. Small communities play an integral role in the international markets. We rely on tools such as EXIM bank to continue to provide the jobs that promote our quality of life in western North Dakota and across our nation.”
“The Arizona Manufacturers Council thanks Sen. Sinema for her leadership to reauthorize the EXIM Bank, which is critically important to Arizona’s manufacturers of all sizes,” said Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) Executive Director Allison Gilbreath. “EXIM makes it possible for Arizona’s innovators to reach customers beyond U.S. shores who, without the Bank’s financing tools, would choose to invest elsewhere. A long-term reauthorization of EXIM will give manufacturers across Arizona and the U.S. the certainty they need to plan for the future and grow their international footprint. The AMC strongly supports the EXIM reauthorization and we stand ready to assist Sen. Sinema in ensuring its passage.”
Press Coverage