Ted Cruz Filibuster II? Sen. Ted Cruz raised the prospect of waging another verbal marathon on the Senate floor if a federal transportation bill contains an amendment to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.
“I’m willing to use any and all procedural tools to stop this corporate welfare and this corruption from being propagated,” Cruz, R-Texas, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, said Wednesday at a news conference with fellow conservatives who the bank.
The charter for the bank, which for decades provided loans, credit insurance and loan guarantees to U.S. exporters and foreign buyers to finance the export of U.S. products, expired June 30.
Its lapse represented a victory for opponents who’ve long viewed the bank as a form of corporate welfare that picks winners and losers in a free market system.
Conservative members of the House of Representatives and Senate want to make sure the bank isn’t revived. But Democrats and business-friendly Republicans are looking at attaching an amendment to the House’s transportation bill as a possible rescue vehicle.
Congress has until July 31 to approve legislation to fund a program that supports state highway and transit projects.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, echoed Cruz’s sentiments on the possible Ex-Im bank-highway bill marriage.
“I think those of us who oppose it will continue to use any and all procedural tools at our disposal in order to oppose it,” Lee said.
In Sept. 2013, Cruz held the Senate floor for 21 hours and 19 minutes in opposition to President Barack Obama’s health care law. During his talk-a-thon, Cruz recited Dr. Seuss “Green Eggs & Ham,” praised White Castle hamburgers, and performed a Darth Vader imitation.
William Douglas: 202-383-6026, @williamgdouglas