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White House Keeps Up Export-Import Bank Push

Reps. Paul Tonko, Joyce Beatty and Carolyn Maloney conduct a news conference Wednesday on the Joint Economic Committee's report supporting the Export-Import Bank. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Reps. Paul Tonko, Joyce Beatty and Carolyn Maloney conduct a news conference Wednesday on the Joint Economic Committee's report supporting the Export-Import Bank. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

President Barack Obama is pushing hard for a deal reviving the Export-Import Bank before Congress heads home for the August recess — Donald Trump notwithstanding.

“These next couple of weeks, before Congress adjourns, is the time for us to go ahead and complete this,” he said as he met with officials from companies across the country who have benefited from the financing the bank provides for exports.

“We cannot leave these businesses hanging; we cannot unilaterally disarm,” he said. “Most importantly, we can’t have American workers losing jobs because Congress doesn’t act or because of some ideological arguments that don’t make any sense and don’t match up with the facts.

“So I feel very strongly about this. I know it’s not as interesting as some of the other issues and Donald Trump and all that — but I’ll tell you what, this is actually something that matters to people on the ground. And I’m hoping that we really stay focused on this.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has indicated senators would have a chance to attach the bank reauthorization to the highway bill he’s trying to push through the chamber.

The White House hasn’t yet weighed in on that bill but wants Ex-Im on whatever highway bill moves forward, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday.

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