Manufacturers keep pressure on Ex-Im nominee Garrett

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is launching another set of advertising aimed at derailing the confirmation of President Trump’s pick to lead the Export-Import Bank.

On Wednesday, NAM will debut its latest batch of digital advertising against former Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) in South Carolina and South Dakota, where senators remain skeptical of his ability to put his past opposition of the bank behind him.

{mosads}The ads urge Republican Sens. Tim Scott (S.C.) and Mike Rounds (S.D.), both of whom questioned Garrett during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee, to vote “no” on his confirmation.

Both senators have expressed concern about whether Garrett, who repeatedly tried to shut down the bank during his time in Congress, had actually changed his mind about the bank and could successfully take the reins.

Critics of Garrett’s nomination argue that he failed to assuage their concerns during his confirmation hearing earlier this month.

“Despite Scott Garrett’s best attempts to hide from his record, his hearing revealed his true agenda,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons in a statement.

“If confirmed to lead the Ex-Im Bank, Garrett would exploit his position to impose his ideological crusade, weaken the agency from within and harm American manufacturing workers,” Timmons said.

“Garrett’s hearing eliminated any possibility he will fully support the Ex-Im Bank’s operations, meaning a vote for Garrett is a vote against the Ex-Im Bank, against manufacturing workers and against the future of manufacturing in America.”

During his hearing, Garrett was resistant to questioning about his past negative comments and efforts to shutter the bank.

A vote hasn’t been scheduled on Garrett’s nomination. 

The NAM will also run an advertisement in Washington, D.C.