Dear Chairman Brown and Ranking Member Toomey:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports the nominations to the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) of Reta Jo Lewis as President and Chair, Judith DelZoppo Pryor as First Vice President, and Owen Herrnstadt as a Member of the Board of Directors.
Ex-Im plays a vital role supporting U.S. exporters by leveling the trade finance playing field for American companies. Without Ex-Im’s support, U.S. exporters are competing for customers with one arm tied behind their backs.
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These nominees would ensure a robust role for Ex-Im in restoring economic growth and job creation in the wake of the disruption to international trade caused by the pandemic. Ex-Im reported a backlog of $39 billion of projects in its financing pipeline awaiting approvals at the end of 2020, and a significant share of this backlog remains. Expediting these projects will support good American jobs. Confirming these nominees to Ex-Im's board will also ensure that many of the reforms Congress has mandated are fully implemented, including the Program on China and Transformational Exports launched by the last administration.
The Chamber urges you to favorably report these nominations to ensure that Ex-Im can support U.S. exports and American jobs.
Sincerely,
Neil L. Bradley
cc: Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
