Earlier today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin joined his House Republican colleagues in voting to once again block reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. During a meeting of the House Financial Services Committee, Poliquin refused to break with his fellow Republicans on a party-line vote against bringing the bank’s reauthorization to a vote.
Poliquin and House Republicans’ refusal to renew the bank’s charter threatens the employment of at least 80 Bangor workers, with GE, a major Bangor employer, recently stating that as many as 80 jobs at its Bangor plant are at risk of being sent overseas due to the lapse in the bank’s charter.
“Even though 80 good paying jobs in Bangor are at risk of being sent overseas, Bruce Poliquin still won’t listen to repeated calls from Maine business leaders and allow a vote to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank,” said Meredith Kelly of the DCCC. “Congressman Poliquin proved again today that he can’t be trusted to stand up for Maine jobs and put the best interests of working Mainers before politics.”
BACKGROUND
Poliquin Joined House Republicans In Voting For A Motion To Block Renewal Of The Ex-Im Bank. “House Financial Services Republicans blocked a Democratic bid at a committee markup Wednesday to force a vote on renewing the Export-Import Bank that saw its authority lapse at the end of June amid fierce conservative opposition. Committee Democrats sought a vote on a five-year extension of the bank, which would have mirrored legislation that passed the Senate in the summer, as an amendment to an unrelated credit union bill (HR 2769). However, Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, who has led efforts to put the bank out of business, ruled the amendment was not germane and the panel upheld his ruling by tabling a Democratic appeal of his decision in a party line vote, 28-23.” [CQ News, 9/30/15]
Headline: CQ News: “Financial Services GOP Won’t Allow Panel Vote on Ex-Im Bank.” [CQ News, 9/30/15]