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[Congressional Record: July 25, 2006 (House)]
[Page H5744-H5754]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr25jy06-127]
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006
H.R. 5068
SEC. 18. PROHIBITION ON ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP OR PROMOTE ANY
RAIL CONNECTIONS OR RAILWAY-RELATED CONNECTIONS
THAT TRAVERSE OR CONNECT BAKU, AZERBAIJAN,
TBILISI, GEORGIA, AND KARS, TURKEY, AND THAT
SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDE CITIES IN ARMENIA.
Section 2(b) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12
U.S.C. 635(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13) The Bank shall not guarantee, insure, extend credit,
or participate in an extension of credit in connection with
the development or promotion of any rail connections or
railway-related connections that do not traverse or connect
with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan,
Tbilisi, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey. ''.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization under suspension vote today.
This is a sound, bipartisan bill.
So often, people see the acrimonious side of this House rife with
partisanship and member distrust.
We do not have that on the Financial Services Committee, and that is
due in large part to the leadership of Chairman Mike Oxley and our
Ranking Member, Barney Frank.
While I am working hard to see Barney become our chairman in the
110th Congress, I just want to salute our outgoing Chair, Mike Oxley.
He is a hard working member who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves
and work with people across the aisle to get the important work done.
He is results oriented.
Legislatively, he has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of,
including this bill, but it is his spirit of bipartisanship, friendship
and class for which we should all look to him for.
But he can also be a formidable foe, from the committee room to the
baseball diamond.
He will be missed next year.
Stating that I do support this bipartisan bill--it is a real jobs
bill.
This bill will strengthen the Export-Import Bank's abilities to allow
American companies to compete in the global market as we try to
increase our exports, increase our global competitiveness and create
more and better paying jobs in the U.S.A.
This is a bill about exporting products not jobs.
Additionally, besides the overall nature of this bill, I was able to
add important language to this reauthorization pertaining to the nation
of Armenia--a strong U.S. ally in the Caucasus.
My amendment, done with Congressmen Ed Royce and Brad Sherman,
prohibits the Export-Import Bank from funding any railway projects from
Azerbaijan, through Georgia and Turkey, which specifically bypass
Armenia. I am very pleased that this language was included in the final
version of this legislation being debated on the House floor today.
This language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus
region, help in ending long standing conflicts, and save U.S. taxpayers
the responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S.
interests.
For over 10 years, Armenia has fought an illegal blockade, imposed on
them by the countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These two countries
continually exclude Armenia from regional development.
Just recently, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia finished construction
on the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline. This pipeline does not pass through
Armenia, even though the fastest and most economically sound route is
through the country.
Now Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia plan on constructing a railway
that will completely bypass Armenia once again; once again excluding
Armenia from regional development.
Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters
instability. Having Export-Import Bank support a railway project which
excludes Armenia is not the way to include all countries in regional
development. I am pleased that the Bank is now prohibited from doing so
in this bill.
Besides possibly creating a regional crisis, this project, if funded
by the Export-Import Bank could cost taxpayers millions. I do not
believe that U.S. taxpayers should be funding a project that goes
against U.S. interests.
I am pleased this good language was added to an already good bill--a
jobs bill for America
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the Export-Import
Reauthorization.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today the House is considering H.R.
5068, legislation that will reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for the
next 5 years. I support this legislation.
Since it was created over 60 years ago, the Export-Import Bank has
provided crucial support for American exporting businesses--especially
small businesses. Because small businesses provide the majority of jobs
here in the U.S., the work of the Bank translates into real jobs for
American workers.
I am particularly pleased this bill includes a provision that
prohibits assistance from the Export-Import Bank for a proposed new
railroad that would connect Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, but would
intentionally circumvent Armenia. This provision is extremely similar to
H.R. 3361,
the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, legislation
I introduced to ensure U.S. taxpayer funds are not used to promote a
proposal or program that directly undermines the United States goal of
fostering integration and cooperation among the countries in the South
Caucasus.
Open and integrated transportation routes among Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and Turkey are necessary to promote cooperation, support
economic growth, and help resolve regional conflicts. Unfortunately,
this policy is being undermined in an effort to push Armenia further
into isolation.
The design for the new rail line defies logistical and geographical
logic, and intends to prevent future economic development from reaching
Armenia. The proposed rail link would cost between $400 million and
$800 million and would take years to construct, even though a perfectly
workable rail link that goes through the city of Gyumri, Armenia
already exists and would be fully operational with a few minor repairs.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues on the House Financial Services
Committee that included this provision into this bill and I urge
support for passage of H.R. 5068.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5068, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were refused.
So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were
suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
[Page H5744-H5754]
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr25jy06-127]
EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2006
H.R. 5068
SEC. 18. PROHIBITION ON ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOP OR PROMOTE ANY
RAIL CONNECTIONS OR RAILWAY-RELATED CONNECTIONS
THAT TRAVERSE OR CONNECT BAKU, AZERBAIJAN,
TBILISI, GEORGIA, AND KARS, TURKEY, AND THAT
SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDE CITIES IN ARMENIA.
Section 2(b) of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 (12
U.S.C. 635(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13) The Bank shall not guarantee, insure, extend credit,
or participate in an extension of credit in connection with
the development or promotion of any rail connections or
railway-related connections that do not traverse or connect
with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan,
Tbilisi, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey. ''.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Export-Import Bank
Reauthorization under suspension vote today.
This is a sound, bipartisan bill.
So often, people see the acrimonious side of this House rife with
partisanship and member distrust.
We do not have that on the Financial Services Committee, and that is
due in large part to the leadership of Chairman Mike Oxley and our
Ranking Member, Barney Frank.
While I am working hard to see Barney become our chairman in the
110th Congress, I just want to salute our outgoing Chair, Mike Oxley.
He is a hard working member who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves
and work with people across the aisle to get the important work done.
He is results oriented.
Legislatively, he has a long list of accomplishments to be proud of,
including this bill, but it is his spirit of bipartisanship, friendship
and class for which we should all look to him for.
But he can also be a formidable foe, from the committee room to the
baseball diamond.
He will be missed next year.
Stating that I do support this bipartisan bill--it is a real jobs
bill.
This bill will strengthen the Export-Import Bank's abilities to allow
American companies to compete in the global market as we try to
increase our exports, increase our global competitiveness and create
more and better paying jobs in the U.S.A.
This is a bill about exporting products not jobs.
Additionally, besides the overall nature of this bill, I was able to
add important language to this reauthorization pertaining to the nation
of Armenia--a strong U.S. ally in the Caucasus.
My amendment, done with Congressmen Ed Royce and Brad Sherman,
prohibits the Export-Import Bank from funding any railway projects from
Azerbaijan, through Georgia and Turkey, which specifically bypass
Armenia. I am very pleased that this language was included in the final
version of this legislation being debated on the House floor today.
This language will assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus
region, help in ending long standing conflicts, and save U.S. taxpayers
the responsibility of funding a project that goes against U.S.
interests.
For over 10 years, Armenia has fought an illegal blockade, imposed on
them by the countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These two countries
continually exclude Armenia from regional development.
Just recently, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia finished construction
on the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline. This pipeline does not pass through
Armenia, even though the fastest and most economically sound route is
through the country.
Now Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia plan on constructing a railway
that will completely bypass Armenia once again; once again excluding
Armenia from regional development.
Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters
instability. Having Export-Import Bank support a railway project which
excludes Armenia is not the way to include all countries in regional
development. I am pleased that the Bank is now prohibited from doing so
in this bill.
Besides possibly creating a regional crisis, this project, if funded
by the Export-Import Bank could cost taxpayers millions. I do not
believe that U.S. taxpayers should be funding a project that goes
against U.S. interests.
I am pleased this good language was added to an already good bill--a
jobs bill for America
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support the Export-Import
Reauthorization.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today the House is considering H.R.
5068, legislation that will reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for the
next 5 years. I support this legislation.
Since it was created over 60 years ago, the Export-Import Bank has
provided crucial support for American exporting businesses--especially
small businesses. Because small businesses provide the majority of jobs
here in the U.S., the work of the Bank translates into real jobs for
American workers.
I am particularly pleased this bill includes a provision that
prohibits assistance from the Export-Import Bank for a proposed new
railroad that would connect Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, but would
intentionally circumvent Armenia. This provision is extremely similar to
H.R. 3361,
the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, legislation
I introduced to ensure U.S. taxpayer funds are not used to promote a
proposal or program that directly undermines the United States goal of
fostering integration and cooperation among the countries in the South
Caucasus.
Open and integrated transportation routes among Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, and Turkey are necessary to promote cooperation, support
economic growth, and help resolve regional conflicts. Unfortunately,
this policy is being undermined in an effort to push Armenia further
into isolation.
The design for the new rail line defies logistical and geographical
logic, and intends to prevent future economic development from reaching
Armenia. The proposed rail link would cost between $400 million and
$800 million and would take years to construct, even though a perfectly
workable rail link that goes through the city of Gyumri, Armenia
already exists and would be fully operational with a few minor repairs.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues on the House Financial Services
Committee that included this provision into this bill and I urge
support for passage of H.R. 5068.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5068, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were refused.
So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were
suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.