Post by bot on Nov 8, 2015 15:16:14 GMT -5
House Takes Bipartisan Action on Highway Bill and Export-Import Bank; Now Needs to Work Together to Fund Government
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, I was pleased to see the House take bipartisan action to pass a highway bill. The highway bill passed by the House was a product of both parties working together in Committee. However, I have concerns that it does not adequately invest in our nation’s infrastructure. As the House and Senate work to resolve differences between the House-passed bill and the Senate-passed bill, I hope we will reach agreement on robust, long-term funding for the infrastructure repairs and improvements that our nation needs.
In addition, the highway bill included language reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank. While a minority of Republicans tried to attach amendments to the highway bill aimed at threatening the Export-Import Bank, the majority of Republicans and Democrats came together to defeat these amendments. Because both the House and Senate highway bills have the same provision to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, it should be in any final highway bill. But Senator McConnell can still take up the House-passed standalone Ex-Im reauthorization bill at any time – and we continue to urge him to do so in order get a bill to the President’s desk as soon as possible and prevent more jobs from being shipped overseas.
The House should also be working to fund the government and avert another Republican-led government shutdown in December. Speaker Ryan can start his Speakership on the right foot by working with Democrats to pass a bipartisan bill to fund the government that does not include controversial policy riders that would put us at risk of a costly shutdown. In the past few weeks, we have seen the progress Congress can make when the majority is allowed to work its will. I hope we can continue to work on a bipartisan basis to get things done for the American people