WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen John Mica (FL-07), Stephen Fincher (TN-08), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Chris Collins (NY-27), Tom MacArthur (NJ-03), and Bob Dold (IL-10) released the following statement after the House successfully passed the motion to discharge and will now begin considering legislation that would reform the U.S. Export-Import Bank:

“After four months of the Ex-Im Bank being unable to provide critical financing to American job creators, we are proud to finally lead a majority of our colleagues in the House tonight to advance this important legislation. The House Financial Services Committee's refusal to negotiate this bill for more than a year has left us with no other legislative options. This Republican-led discharge petition returns regular order to the House and allows us to move legislation that is supported by a wide majority of House Members.

“Today’s vote puts us one step closer to ensuring our exporters have a seat at the table and are able to compete on a level playing field with other nations. We are encouraged that a majority of our colleagues are willing to stand with us to fight for American jobs and confident that Ex-Im will pass the House with overwhelming support in the coming days.”

Background:

While rarely invoked in modern history, a discharge petition is a parliamentary tool that returns the House to regular order and provides a path forward for critical legislation that has support from a wide majority of the House, yet is unable to move because a committee willingly refuses to do its work. The discharge process evolved from a rule adopted in 1910 known as the “Cannon Revolt” - a remarkable event in the history of the House that acknowledged the voices and power of rank and file Members. It is significant, especially today when the Republican Conference is discussing ways to empower rank and file Members.

Read Congressman Mica's Ex-Im for Dummies HERE:

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