With little fanfare, Congress has slipped funding through for the controversial federal Export-Import Bank five months after allowing it to expire, betraying the confidence of both Tea Party conservatives and the billionaire GOP donor Koch Brothers, who label the bank as a form of corporate welfare.
A measure extending the bank through 2019 was included in a massive transportation bill, pushed my House Speaker Paul Ryan, that cleared the House and Senate Thursday and is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.
The controversial federal agency makes and guarantees loans to businesses exporting abroad
Conservatives decry the bank as corporate welfare and government interference in the free market. Pushed by the Koch Brothers, leading GOP presidential candidates arrayed against it and congressional Republicans who once supported the bank announced they were opposed. Amid that pressure and with Tea Party lawmakers on the ascent on Capitol Hill, Congress failed to act when the bank’s charter was up for renewal June 30, allowing it to expire for the first time in its 81-year history.
All along, though, many lawmakers in the House and Senate, including Republicans and Democrats with major manufacturers such as General Electric, Caterpillar or Boeing in their districts, supported the bank. An unusual series of maneuvers and alliances followed, including a rarely used procedure in the House to force a floor vote on the bank over the objections of top GOP leaders.
The end result was that the measure ended up on the highway bill and five months after expiring, the Ex-Im Bank is about to come back to life.
However, conservatives and the Koch Brothers say they’re not done yet.
In an interview, Marc Short, president of the Koch-backed Freedom Partners, said that in four years’ time when the bank is up for renewal again, opponents will prevail, thanks to efforts over the past several years to raise the issue’s profile.
“Ironically … we believe we’re putting the final nails in the coffin of Ex-Im,” Short said. “We’ve been able to elevate Ex-Im as an issue that resonates with a broader cross-section of the American people.”
GOP Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and the Ex-Im Bank’s most outspoken congressional foe, had a similar message.
“I know if I was the CEO of a Fortune 50 corporation, I would think twice before building my long-term business plan on Ex-Im,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Ryan talks of his working class ethnic roots. However, he has voted to cut federal workers pensions and has sold out on many bills.
So disappointed in PR I called everyone to try and make them see he couldnt think independently! He can help but in stead he is without explanation betraying us……BA perhaps.
the people in congress that claim they are suprised are the biggest liars
Everyone knew that Boehner and the Plunder Team needed a face lift, Ryan is nothing more than ACT 2 of this tragedy “Death of a Republic”.
Paul Ryan is a pure form of a RINO. Working class parents left behind for his new class of people. He is no better than Boehner. Being the running mate of the loser Romney labeled him as an establishment Republican. He must go away also!
Federal workers are over paid and they need to cut back on their pensions, they should all take a 10% curt in pay too.
I had little belief in Ryan’s straight arrow Conservative demeanor.
In fact my stomach was nervous along with my brain when He
took over ~ the reins. It’s going to be a very Long Winter.
Washington, D.C. One of the only places on the planet where “no” doesn’t mean “no”.
There are more whores in Washington, DC then anywhere else in the USA. The trouble is these whores are the lobbyists and our elected servants. They all walk away from Washington, DC very rich!
because we the people know it, and continue to vote the same lying assholes term after term. so whos fault is it realty?
the problem is WE CAN’T vote for Each & Every Representative or Senator.
I think there is a FOX in the hen house.
mr. ryan–why do you present yourself as one thing ,then do the opposite. is truth and honor in your vocabulary? why have you disappointed your supporters so soon?
mr. ryan why do you say one thing-then do another. what have you gained by going against your commitment. is it too difficult for you to honor your commitments. don’t continue to disappoint your supporters. e thought you were an honorable man.
He is not honorable at all!
Big: Power,
Big: Ego,
Big: ‘Speaker of the House’, Lifetime Retirement.
Big: Un-Truth Teller
Hey Tom,
Have you called Ryan’s office to complain? I’m starting call all them bastards for everything. That’s all we can really do until the elections. Just saying, Mel
Weeks before he became speaker I posted, ” From what I have seen, Ryan is a Flip/Flopper. He is sneaky, and I don’t trust him. Glad, in a way I was right. The government people who voted him in had to see this lack of qualities and that gives me pause as to what can we expect in the future
If he disappoints, next election replace him. and any others too
Because that’s what politicians do Tom. There was a time when most people were American Patriots, not so today, people get into politics as a “career” not a “servant” of the people. They are what you call the “Elite” with benefits far beyond what they could get in the workplace. Along with the benefits, they have perks like, inside trading, work in politics one year and quit with the same salary the rest of their lives, a totally paid for health plan, and so much more than room to write here. Oh yes, don’t forget the power and perks of our tax money for vacations and such. I hope this answers your question to Paul, he won’t tell you the truth, but here it is!
They needed Gingrich, Gowdy, or Cotton in that job… Ryan is no different than Boehner. Wake up America
right on the mark
Gingrich wouldn’t be any good now! He has outgrown his value!
well he didnt want the job and you pushed him into it now you pay the fiddler
I hate that you are correct!
John you realize He was Playing The-Game, Right?
As He backed into the position, while protesting to-much.
The federal government doesn’t need to be spending money on corporate welfare. Corporation officers who are making millions of dollars a year can live without sponging off taxpayers making under $30,000 a year.
I agree, bring Gingrich back to be speaker. He can be trusted.
NOT!!!!!
TYPICAL WASHINGTON MAFIA
Another sell out, this guy can be bought.
Tray Gowdy was the man for that job?
Ryan can be bought it’s happen before an looks like it happen again. Trey Gowdy is the man we need in this position.
very few politicians can be trusted , you have to go with a non professional politician , Trump is the way and only the way for being a trusted leader.
Sure appears that way!
The Problem with The Donald is going to be
the Career Politicians who don’t want “An Outsider”
taking over the reins. Both sides will ultimately
go against Trump. He’s just a Citizen who is on
the receiving ‘End’ except He has the $ and personal
attitude to do them great harm in the Political Game.
He’s in the wrong rung of Political Society. He will,
however, Get My Vote. I agree we should Stop All
Questionable Aliens from entry into the USA until
the PROBLEM can be Minimized … That will take a
few weeks -at best- When and if the Appropriate
Agencies are directed to Do Due Diligence on ‘We
The People’s Part’ for making it as safe as it can be
made. Not talking about it DOING IT!
He is bought and paid for by RINOS and Progressive Democrats, expect more of his betrayals as he becomes more and more like the Career Politician that he is. He is for sale to the New World Order, and the Global Conglomerates that support NWO, not to forget the Illegal Aliens special interest groups, and those Business who are always crying that they need H-1B and now H-2B Visas because American Business Men would rather Trane foreigners then American Citizens.
VOTEW TRUMP/Cruz 2016; only way to trim the BLOATED government, they wont tolerate this crap
I tried to tell everyone he was a fake, no body would listen, why don’t people investigate before they vote or recommend these crooks, that why we have muslim and communist in our government, nobody checks them out and release their findings use to be able to count or our news investigators but that’s went to hell as well so now do your own before you vote.
If you’re going to delete my comments, I have no use for you.
Ryan is failing his conservative base and the people that believed in him ,he should step down. He has taken money from obama before same as McConnel and Boehner both they sold out the republicans for money and looks like they haven’t stopped yet. That why it is very important that no establishment politician is elected President. Trump,Cruz ,Carsen,or Fiorinia can handle the job .If hillary gets in this country will turn communists ,if obama was to remain like he wants thru martial law America would turn muslim.If Mr Trump when he wins he will repair the damage from the obama administration. America will become respected by our allies once again .The Military will be made whole again . Homeland land security will be able to do its job , The borders will finally be protected once again and criminals will be jailed .The police will be supported the way they should be . The illegals will be returned to there homeland .They will be allowed to re enter legally The syriani refugees will be returned home and the muslims will lose there grip on American society
Ryan is failing his conservative base and the people that believed in him ,he should step down. He has taken money from obama before same as McConnel and Boehner both they sold out the republicans for money and looks like they haven’t stopped yet. That why it is very important that no establishment politician is elected President. Trump,Cruz ,Carsen,or Fiorinia can handle the job .If hillary gets in this country will turn communists ,if obama was to remain like he wants thru martial law America would turn muslim.If Mr Trump when he wins he will repair the damage from the obama administration. America will become respected by our allies once again .The Military will be made whole again . Homeland land security will be able to do its job , The borders will finally be protected once again and criminals will be jailed .The police will be supported the way they should be . The illegals will be returned to there homeland .They will be allowed to re enter legally The syrian refugees will be returned home and the muslims will lose there grip on American society This must be a libueral- control-l-ed page
Paul Ryan is nothing but mr. Boehners double and his replacement that was orchestrated by mr. Boehner and his closest colleagues in the house before he graciously departed. Nothing but an obvious setup as l was seeing it unfold from day to day. Such a circus. Paul boehner -Ryan Jr. Is his real name, an impostor who will continue to deceive us like his father did so many times. He must be driven out and forced to resign and vacate his office ASAP!!!!! AMERICA FIRST!!! RYAN MUST GO NOW!!!! GO TRUMP!!!!
Who can we trust now?
Give Paul Ryan a break! They are supposed to READ bills BEFORE they vote on them ! or did they just forget to pass that job on to someone else?
It’s their responsibility not Paul Ryans. Grow up and do your responsibilities and quit blaming others for your irresponsibility!
I applaud citizens who take time and use energy from other pursuits and priorities of the rest of their lives, trying to follow what is and isn’t happening within Congress and the Presidency. Hopefully, such interest and activity acknowledges and honors all the Heros who gave their all, or parts, to ensure our rights and freedoms prevail. So many people are terribly irresponsible for
letting all other stuff rate with higher importance.
But so sadly, too many who are paying attention fail to learn, evaluate, and balance ALL pros and cons; instead submitting to tendencies of Lemmings, blindly following hype and mantra of one or the other national political party, foolishly trusting misleading labels of “Conservatives” and “Liberals”. Neither of the parties retain platforms and policies resembling those of founding leaders.
How can you fail to recognize the Koch brothers are bent on owning the Political Prostitutes in Congress, en route to amassing even more Billions — en route to TRILLIONS — wrested away from the Economy of the Middle and Lower Income class of the USA ?? If they’re against an issue, the rest of us MUST raise voices louder, IN FAVOR !!
GE and other “Big Biz” outfits neither need nor use the Import-Export Bank. It was created to allow growing SMALL BUSINESS access to global markets – which assists them in helping GROW our Economy !! Calling it “Corporate Welfare” is an absurd
falsification. Loans enabling small firms to boost “Foreign” sales are repaid from increased profits. WHY FAULT THAT ???
The Problem with The Donald is going to be
the Career Politicians who don’t want “An Outsider”
taking over the reins. Both sides will ultimately
go against Trump. He’s just a Citizen who is on
the receiving ‘End’ except He has the $ and personal
attitude to do them great harm in the Political Game.
He’s in the wrong rung of Political Society. He will,
however, Get My Vote. I agree we should Stop All
Questionable Aliens from entry into the USA until
the PROBLEM can be Minimized … That will take a
few weeks -at best- When and if the Appropriate
Agencies are directed to Do Due Diligence on ‘We
The People’s Part’ for making it as safe as it can be
made. Not talking about it DOING IT!
Paul Ryan is starting to act like John Boehner’s other brother.
what do you expect from Walkers partner in crime–any idiot could figure that out