GOP meeting erupts over Ex-Im power move

Conservative frustration over Republican efforts to force a House vote on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank boiled over Wednesday during a contentious GOP meeting. --Members of the conference’s conservative wing criticized Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) at the meeting for moving to file a discharge petition to bring a vote on legislation renewing the embattled bank’s charter for five years, after it lapsed June 30 because of Tea Party opposition.

Read more at The Hill
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

Senate Votes to Revive Export-Import Bank, Keep Obamacare

In a pair of losses for conservatives, the Senate voted overwhelmingly Sunday to revive the Export-Import Bank while failing to overcome a filibuster of an attempt to repeal Obamacare — with more fireworks to come. --The rare Sunday votes set the stage for the Senate to send a long-term highway bill tied to the Ex-Im Bank to the House later this week, but not before facing other gambits by conservatives, including a procedural vote forced by Sen. Ted Cruz regarding the Iran deal and an effort to deploy a maneuver akin to the “nuclear option.”

Read more at Roll Call
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

Cruz charges into Ex-Im battle

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has drifted to the middle of the pack of Republican presidential contenders, is girding for his next battle with GOP leaders: reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. --The firebrand conservative on Wednesday challenged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) to block any vote on reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank next month. Pro-trade Democrats say McConnell promised them a vote on the reauthorization of Ex-Im in exchange for their support of a trade package last month. “Leadership in both chambers has said there is no deal. --Excellent. Prove it. If there is no deal, we should let Ex-Im expire and let it stay expired,” Cruz said at a speech at the Heritage Foundation entitled “The People v. The Washington Cartel.”

Read more at The Hill
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......

McConnell Gives Poster Child of Corporate Welfare a Pass

There is nothing more rare in Washington than the opportunity to shutter the doors of a profligate federal agency. Thus the prospect of ending the wasteful and corrupt Export-Import Bank is even more enticing. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has just handed the Democrats another gift that could possibly snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for Republicans and reauthorize the poster child of corporate welfare.

Read more at Conservative Review
(Hat tip: KimR) Read More......