House’s June schedule omits Ex-Im vote

The House’s Republican leadership has not scheduled a vote next month to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, whose charter expires June 30 unless Congress extends it.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) released a schedule on Friday that does not include reauthorizing the bank.

{mosads}McCarthy has joined other House Republicans, including Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), in arguing that the 80-year-old bank’s charter should be allowed to expire.

Tea Party critics of the bank argue that the federally backed institution only finances large corporations, giving them an unfair advantage against small businesses.

Business groups, most Democrats and moderate Republicans support reauthorizing the bank, arguing that its financing sustains jobs at small businesses that are part of the economic U.S. supply chain.

Critics and supporters have speculated that the Senate will attempt to attach a reauthorization amendment to another legislative vehicle, such as a transportation funding package, that would extend the bank’s charter.