Hensarling shoots down report of Ex-Im deal

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) on Wednesday rejected a report that he’s reached an agreement with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to act on a short-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank.

{mosads}”There is no agreement,” Hensarling’s committee spokesman, David Popp, told The Hill.

Earlier Wednesday, Politico reported that Hensarling and Boehner had a private agreement to issue a short-term reauthorization of the bank.

Popp said that Hensarling “is continuing to discuss the issue with members” but that he is “opposed” to Ex-Im reauthorization.

Hensarling is a top critic of the bank, which Congress must reauthorize before Sept. 30 or it will shut down. Hensarling and other Tea Partyers argue that the bank is little more than “corporate welfare” designed to prop up big businesses like Boeing.

More centrist Republicans and most Democrats argue that the bank helps U.S. businesses make inroads in emerging markets while supporting jobs in America.

Hensarling, whose committee has jurisdiction over the reauthorization bill, has been tight-lipped about whether he’d move a bill through committee once Congress comes back from recess.

No reauthorization bill introduced so far has a chance of passing the committee. Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.) is considering introducing a bill of his own, but has not released any details.

Boehner could buck Hensarling and attach a short-term reauthorization bill to a budget resolution that Congress must also pass before the end of September to keep the government open.

It’s unlikely Republicans would want to shut the government down so close to the midterm elections.