Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued a statement today following the expiration of the charter for the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank:

“The expiration of the Export-Import Bank hurts hundreds of small-and-middle-market businesses in Washington state,” DelBene said. “Washington state exports some of the world’s best products, including airplanes, software, wine, dairy and produce, and our economy is reliant on exports and identifying new markets. The Export-Import Bank helps connect our businesses with consumers around the world.

“I have continuously emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the Export-Import bank, and it is inexcusable that House leadership did not even allow a vote on reauthorization, ignoring thousands of American businesses and workers, while leaving them at a competitive disadvantage on the global stage.”

According to the Export-Import Bank, 33 businesses in Washington’s First District have received loans, with a total export value of $297 million since 2007.

“The Ex-Im Bank levels the playing field for U.S. companies involved in international trade by creating predictability and ensuring emerging market risk is reasonably mitigated,” said Ted Mischaikov, CEO of Healthy Pet in Ferndale, Wash. “As a medium market company with 75 percent of our growth being international exports, we need such infrastructure in place to keep jobs at home, products in transit and financials transparent.”

The Export-Import Bank serves as the export credit agency of the federal government, providing financial assistance both to U.S. businesses and foreign buyers at no cost to taxpayers. The Bank’s current authorization expired on June 30, 2015. Just last year, the Export-Import Bank supported more than 3,800 business and 160,000 American jobs while generating a $675 million surplus for taxpayers.

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