Rubio: Hillary will owe big business favors

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) warned that big industries would expect political favors from Hillary Clinton if she become president in 2016.

“[She’s] is going to raise a tremendous amount of money, more perhaps than any other candidate in American history from established large industries who know … that they benefit from access and influence over government,” Rubio said on a conference call with reporters sponsored by conservative group Americans for Prosperity.

“Big, established industries are the only ones that can handle all of the hiring of lawyers and lobbyists necessary to deal with big government, and they’re the ones that have the political influence to benefit from institutions such as [the Export-Import Bank],” Rubio continued.

Rubio’s opposition to reauthorizing the bank’s charter — which expires June 30 — and his criticism of Clinton illustrates how Republicans are seeking to portray the Democratic front-runner as a Washington insider.

The Florida Republican is bucking the business community, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), in opposing the bank, which helps finance U.S. companies’ projects overseas.

Supporters say it helps sustain jobs. Rubio and other likely GOP presidential contenders, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, oppose it.

Other potential Republican candidates, however, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry support the bank.

“There’s a myth that’s been created that government is good for the people who are trying to make it,” Rubio said. “The truth is that those who have political connections benefit from big government. Ex-Im is an example of it.”

It’s unclear whether the House will vote to reauthorize the bank before June 30 or whether it will shut down. A Senate vote is expected in the coming weeks.

“This is another example of how big government and government intrusion into our economy actually benefits the people who have already made it and the companies that have already made it at the expense of small businesses and individuals who are still trying to make it,” Rubio said.