In a memo sent to House Republican Friday outlining key issues the House is expected to debate in September, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy was conspicuously silent on the subject of the Export-Import Bank.
Ex-Im, which provides financing assistance to promote American exports, will close after September 30 unless Congress agrees to extend its charter before then.
In the memo, McCarthy lays out an “Agenda for American Prosperity” that includes efforts to promote jobs and economic growth, reduce the cost of gas and groceries, and prevent health insurance premiums from rising due to Obamacare.
The Republican jobs strategy will involve sending a single package of more than 43 House-approved bills to the Senate, which McCarthy hopes will “increase pressure on Harry Reid to finally put American workers and economic growth first.” (RELATED: Report: U.S. Economy Needs 5.7 Million Jobs to Reach Pre-Recession Levels)
Efforts to reduce energy costs, McCarthy said, will center on a package of energy bills “that will, among other things, open federal lands, support the Keystone XL pipeline, and prevent environmental regulations that are killing American-made energy.”
With regard to healthcare, McCarthy lamented “a recent non-partisan government analysis [which] found that two-thirds of all small businesses will face increases in monthly premiums,” as a direct result of Obamacare, despite Obama’s claims that Americans who liked their health insurance would be able to keep it under the law. (RELATED: It’s Official: Obamacare Debuts With More Cancelled Plans Than Enrollments)
To make good on the president’s promise, Republicans will advance a bill, recently reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, “to allow those who purchase health care on the group market to keep the plans they had.”
One possible explanation for the omission of Ex-Im from the memo is that Republicans are divided on the issue. (RELATED: Conservatives Split on Export-Import Bank)
A number of prominent Republicans have publicly stated their opposition to the bank in recent months, including McCarthy, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling.
On the other hand, 41 House Republicans signed a letter in June expressing support for Ex-Im, and warning that the U.S. economy will suffer if the bank’s charter is allowed to expire. (RELATED: Republicans Clash over Export-Import Bank)
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