Ex-Im chief spends week in sales mode

Export-Import Bank President Fred Hochberg isn’t taking any summer vacation during the brief congressional recess around Memorial Day.

Hochberg is scheduled to meet with lawmakers and small business leaders in four states this week to discuss the embattled institution’s work.

{mosads}Meanwhile, in Washington, Republican lawmakers are fiercely divided about whether or not to renew the 80-year-old bank’s charter, which expires June 30.

Hochberg was in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday and then had another stop in Kansas City, Mo., with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) where they met with small business leaders, according to a Bank official familiar with his plans.

On Wednesday, Hochberg will travel to Erie, Pa., where he will visit a General Electric supplier. And on Thursday, he’ll be in Jamestown, N.Y., participating in a manufacturing summit with Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.).

Conservatives argue that the bank crushes small businesses by financing politically connected big corporations like Boeing.

More moderate Republicans and Democrats argue that Ex-Im helps sustain U.S. jobs and grow small supply-chain businesses because of its financing of overseas projects in emerging markets.

It’s unclear whether or not the House will vote to reauthorize the bank, though the Senate is expected to attach a reauthorization amendment to legislation in the coming weeks.