Export-Import Bank Up for Renewal in September

The U.S. Export-Import Bank is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year, meaning Congress will have to reauthorize it, if it is to continue operations. The Ex-Im Bank, as it is colloquially known, is Federal government institution that provides loans to foreign buyers of American goods, making it easier for U.S. businesses to export their wares. According to its mission statement, the “Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies—large and small—to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy.” Some conservatives say that the Ex-Im Bank is an unacceptable government intervention in the market. Prominent lawmakers such as new House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling of Texas have gone on record opposing the Bank. However, other Republicans have expressed support, provided reforms are enacted. Earlier this week, Representative Patrick McHenry of North Carolina pressed for renewal of the Bank, along with modifications. Representative McHenry is Chief Deputy Whip under the new House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Outside of Congress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers have pledged to undertake an ad campaign supporting the Bank during the August recess.

Wall Street Journal: Will Export-Import Bank Get an August Rebound?

Reuters: U.S. Export-Import Bank Backers to Spend Recess Pushing for Renewal

Citizen-Times: GE Aviation Backlogged with Orders for CMC Technology

CBC Criticizes Florida Redistricting Lawsuit

Last week, Representative Marcia Fudge of Ohio, the Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the House of Representatives Member organization serving as the “voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress”, sent a letter to Representative Steve Israel of New York, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), criticizing the organization for allegedly supporting “efforts to dismantle” CBC member districts. As was reported yesterday, a Florida judge ruled that Representative Corrine Brown’s congressional district violated the state constitution’s prohibition against political gerrymandering. Representative Fudge wrote that the caucus was “extremely disturbed by the DCCC’s efforts to dismantle CBC districts in states that have historically proven to be difficult to elect minority members.” Approximately 52 percent of Representative Brown’s district is African-American, the third highest percentage in the state. Although the DCCC has not been a participant in the lawsuit in question, other Democratic groups have supported the action as a way of redrawing a map they see as being overly friendly to Republicans.

Politico: CBC, DCCC Clash Over Fla. Redistricting Suit

Washington Post: The Tricky Racial Politics of Undoing Gerrymandering in Florida

And for our latest post: Supreme Court on Recess Appointments: The President Loses, Congress Partially Wins