Lake County Gazette

U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) recently signed a discharge petition led by U.S. Rep. Stephan Fincher (R-TN) that would initiate a vote by the House to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank without first having the measure go through the usual committee process. 

A discharge petition is a rarely used procedural maneuver that is the only way a majority of House members can secure consideration of legislation without the support of House leadership.

The Export-Import Bank finances and insures purchases of U.S. goods by foreign customers so they don't have to accept the credit risk.

Dold had been helping to gather support through his many colleagues to bring the Export-Import Bank reauthorization measure to a vote. With his vote, the discharge petition attained the 218 signatures needed to move the measure right to the House floor. 

“The people of the Tenth Congressional District sent me to Congress to restore effective, independent leadership and to bridge Washington's growing partisan divide, which is why I work every day on advancing bipartisan legislation,” Dold said. "The Export-Import Bank plays a key role in protecting and growing American jobs by helping U.S. businesses compete on a level playing field with our foreign competitors. The bank has been reauthorized by 13 different Presidents—both Republicans and Democrats—over the last 81 years. As an original co-sponsor of the legislation to re-authorize the Export-Import Bank, I am proud to help lead this crucial bipartisan effort to protect American jobs and grow our economy."

The House is expected to vote on the measure by the end of this month. It is expected to pass the reauthorization request and advance it to the Senate.