Murray Statement on Critical Export-Import Bank Reauthorization

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed legislation reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank by a vote of 78-20, raising its financing authority to $140 billion by 2014. Without Congressional action, the Ex-Im Bank charter was set to expire on May 31, 2012.

"The Export-Import Bank is one of the most important resources America has to compete against foreign countries who are aggressively trying to seize global market share. Today's reauthorization sends a clear message that America is committed to fighting back with programs that work for businesses and taxpayers. Supporting programs, like the Ex-Im Bank, that help U.S. exporters has long made sense, but it's even more critical now. U.S. exports have been a highlight of our road to recovery and no one knows the importance better than the businesses in my home state of Washington -- the largest exporter in the nation per capita and where one in three jobs is tied to international trade. Reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank today is not only a victory for our exporters, but also tells our trading partners we stand behind our products and our companies."

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