Hoyer: GOP ‘unrealistic’ on Ex-Im Bank

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) called Tea Partyers who oppose reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank “unrealistic” on Tuesday.

Hoyer has pushed for House Democrats to champion reauthorizing the 80-year-old bank during the August recess. The bank’s charter is due to expire on September 30.

{mosads}President Obama and Democrats have embraced the bank as a way to bolster their pro-business credentials.

Business groups back the bank, but Republicans are divided over whether its charter should be renewed, with some conservatives arguing it is a form of “crony capitalism” that gives favored businesses special treatment.

That’s given Democrats a political opportunity, and Hoyer has made reauthorizing Ex-Im a part of House Democrats’ “Made in America Agenda,” which touts various trade and manufacturing initiatives. 

“There is a deep division within the party, with some of the most conservative members — led by [Rep.] Jeb Hensarling [R-Texas] — who believe that the government ought to play no role at all in the global marketplace,” Hoyer said on a conference call with reporters. “We think that’s unrealistic.”

Hensarling chairs the House Financial Services Committee and has been tight-lipped about whether he’d move a bill through his committee.

Hoyer predicted that in some way or another, Congress will act to renew the bank’s charter.

“Whether the Senate passes it, whether they add it to a bill that continues funding for the government. … In one form or another, we’ll get it through,” Hoyer said. “Every [House] Democrat is prepared to vote for it. … The Democratic Party is united on this.”