what’s working
AWB in D.C.
With millions of jobs in the balance in Washington state and nationwide,
the second AWB D.C. Fly-In last February reemphasized the need for
Congress to act on a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.
Bobbi Cussins
AWB’s President Kris Johnson, Vice President of Government Affairs Gary Chandler and Government Affairs Director
Amy Anderson led a group of a dozen business leaders to Washington, D.C., in February to advocate for bipartisan
support for renewing the U.S. Export-Import Bank charter, which is set to expire June 30.
at a glance
AWB hosted the first D.C. Fly-In in
June 2014 and the second in February
2015 to advocate for long-term
reauthorization of the Export-Import
(Ex-Im) Bank charter that is set to
expire June 30.
The Ex-Im Bank of the United States
is an independent U.S. government
U.S. Rep. Denny Heck meets with AWB members in his Washington, D.C., office during the
February 2015 AWB D.C. Fly-In.
Inaction in Washington, D.C., could result in a negative and irreversible economic ripple effect
in Washington state and the nation.
That’s the message AWB’s President Kris Johnson and government affairs staff along with
a dozen Washington state business leaders delivered to the state’s congressional delegates
during the second D.C. Fly-In Feb. 24-25.
The group traveled cross country to implore Congress to approve a long-term reauthorization
of the U.S. Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank charter. Without the renewal, the bank’s charter will
expire June 30, leaving in its wake a host of employers that will have few other means for
continuing their export operations.
Holding meetings with each of the state’s 12 congressional offices, business leaders got the
chance to explain how they use the bank and why it is critical to their diverse operations.
“AWB was very well received by our congressional delegates,” said Stacie Cochran, global
account manager for Norwest Ingredients, a Royal City-manufacturer of mint oil used in
toothpaste, mouth wash, chewing gum and other products. “Each delegate we spoke to seemed
to support a long-term, five- to seven-year, reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank because it’s so
vital to our state’s economic health.”
As one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, the Ex-Im Bank is essential to
ensuring 232 employers in Washington state — 152 of which are small businesses — have
access to adequate financing, loan guarantees and insurance to support export operations.
agency that helps finance and insure
the foreign export sales of U.S.
goods and services, much like the 59
export credit agencies around the
world that support their countries’
manufacturers and service providers.
In Washington state, 232 employers,
152 of which are small businesses, rely
on Ex-Im Bank services.
The Ex-Im Bank financed $7.2 billion
worth of exports, and $130 billion
since 2007, in Washington alone.
In 2014, Ex-Im Bank financing
supported $27.4 billion worth of U.S.
exports. Nearly 90 percent of the
bank’s 2014 transactions — more than
3,340 — directly supported American
small businesses.
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