Washington - This morning, Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN) introduced Discharge Petition No. 2, which would force a vote on his bill (H.R. 597) to resurrect the now-defunct Export-Import Bank. The effort, reportedly discussed between outgoing Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Democrat Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), is an attempt to bypass the House Financial Services Committee and the House Rules Committee. Heritage Action released the following statement from chief executive officer Michael A. Needham:
"Three months ago, the Republican-controlled Congress allowed the Export-Import Bank to expire. Closing an 80-year old agency that was part of FDR's industrial policy sent a signal that the GOP was serious about reducing the role of government and combating corporate welfare. Now, John Boehner, Stephen Fincher and a few dozen GOP pawns of K Street are working with Nancy Pelosi to advance the Chamber of Commerce's agenda. It is bad for the party and bad for the country."