Measure includes months-overdue reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank (EXIM); Sen. Coons has repeatedly called on Congress to reauthorize EXIM WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after he voted to advance a federal highway bill that authorizes six years of federal transportation projects. The House passed a similar bill last week, and the two bills will now go to conference. Both measures include the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank until 2019. “While neither the House nor Senate bills are perfect, it’s far past time that Congress passed a long-term transportation bill instead of lurching between short-term fixes,” said Senator Coons. “I’m glad this process is finally moving forward, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get a transportation bill signed into law before November 20.  Long-term investments in transportation infrastructure projects in Delaware and across the country are absolutely critical for growing our economy and creating jobs, and we can’t wait any longer to get these projects moving. “I’m particularly glad that both of these bills also include reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, a critical tool that helps American companies of all sizes compete in the global economy.  Congress should never have allowed the bank’s authorization to lapse, and I’m encouraged that reauthorization language was included in both the House and Senate versions.”