After May Jobs Numbers, Rep. Johnson Calls on Republicans to Avert Job Killing Deadlines on Export-Import Bank and Highway Trust Fund Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after it was announced the economy added 280,000 new jobs in the 63rd consecutive month of private sector job creation, Rep. Johnson called on Republicans to stop endangering hundreds of thousands of American jobs and act immediately to avert the impending expiration of two key engines of job creation: the Export-Import Bank and the Highway and Transit Trust Fund.

“Georgians are tired of the endless crises of the Republican Congress damaging our economy and costing us good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Johnson. “It is outrageous that Republicans have no plan to reauthorize the Export-Import bank or the Highway and Transit Trust Fund that support so many businesses, jobs and communities here in Georgia.”

The Export-Import Bank helps American businesses of all sizes sell their goods overseas and supported 1.5 million private sector jobs since 2007, including more than 29,000 in Georgia alone. While 180 Democrats have signed a discharge petition to bring the bill up for a vote, radical Republicans have blocked action in the House – leaving only 12 legislative days until the Bank’s charter expires on June 30.

Later this summer, the Highway and Transit Trust Fund will expire in the middle of the critical summer construction season. Now, the Republican Congress is hurdling towards another deadline without a plan for the long-term reauthorization our nation needs, threatening our roads, rails and bridges and putting the jobs of 660,000 Americans at risk.

In Georgia alone, more than 160 projects worth nearly $300 million have been put on hold because of this manufactured crisis.

“Apparently, Republicans have been too busy serving the special interests to address the urgent deadlines threatening jobs and communities in Georgia,” continued Rep. Johnson. “Congress should be working to create jobs and grow the wages of hard-working families, not dragging our country through more needless crises. It’s time for us to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, renew the Highway and Transit Trust Fund, and get to work expanding the opportunities of America’s families.”

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