Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2822, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016; Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2042, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015; And Providing for Proceedings During the Period from June 26, 2015, Through July 6, 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Colorado, as well as Leader Pelosi and Whip Hoyer, for continuing to fight for the survival of the Export-Import Bank.

Mr. Speaker, with just 1 day left for Congress to act before the Ex-Im Bank shuts down, I am shocked that my Republican colleagues are planning to leave town without even considering legislation to review its charter. Democrats will not sit idly by. That is why I rise today to urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question in order to force a vote on legislation sponsored by myself, Mr. Heck, Ms. Moore, Mr. Hoyer, and nearly every other Democrat in this House to renew and reform the Export-Import Bank's charter for the long term.

Over the past 5 years, the Export-Import Bank has created or sustained an estimated 1.3 million jobs, and it has returned $6.9 billion to the American people over the past two decades. But next Tuesday, that record of success will be stopped in its tracks. The Export-Import Bank will stop creating jobs and supporting our small businesses. It will stop returning profits to the Treasury, and it will stop helping to make our businesses more competitive.

Failure to act hands countries like China, Russia, and countless others that have their own version of the bank a significant victory--at the hands of American workers' products and businesses. But we haven't given up yet. Today we are giving the broad base of Democrats and Republicans who support the Bank an opportunity to cast a vote in favor of keeping this engine of job creation and economic growth alive.

Last week my Republican colleagues who support the Bank failed to stand up for its survival. But with just 1 more day for Congress to save the Bank from shutting down, I am afraid that those who claim to support the Export-Import Bank but refuse to stand up and do so do not truly support the Bank or the jobs it creates.

Mr. Speaker, businesses need to know that our government will stand up for them, not work to undermine them.

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Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to heed the advice of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, all of whom supported the Export-Import Bank.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the previous question.

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