Record La. Exports Show Need to Re-Authorize Export-Import Bank

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., highlighted a report released by the United States Department of Commerce that shows Louisiana exports support 283,000 jobs in the state. The report highlights the need for Congress to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The report also showed that the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles metropolitan areas are among the top 50 in the nation and all three set export records in 2013.

In July, Sen. Landrieu joined senators from both parties to sponsor legislation that re-authorizes the Export-Import Bank of the United States through the end of FY 2019 and increases its lending authority to $160 billion by FY 2018.

"This report once again shows that exports are the lifeblood of the Louisiana economy, and we need to have the right policies to keep them growing. By re-authorizing the Export-Import Bank, we can give Louisiana businesses the certainty they need to keep pushing into new markets overseas. I've co-sponsored a bill to authorize the bank until 2019 and I call on the Senate to pass it as soon as possible," Sen. Landrieu said.

Earlier this summer, Sen. Landrieu released a list of nearly 150 Louisiana companies directly supported by the Export-Import Bank. She also release a list of over 400 companies indirectly supported by the Bank in the Capital, NOLA, Bayou, Central/Northeast, Southwest and Northwest regions of Louisiana.

On July 17, Sen. Landrieu hosted a conference call with four small businesses from across Louisiana to build support and call on Congress to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

In 2013, Senator Landrieu received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's prestigious "Spirit of Enterprise" award due in part to her leadership to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank in 2012.

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