Delta Embarrassed By Export-Import Bank Loan Guarantee While Lobbying Against Agency

"A bizarre lobbying battle that pits Delta Air Lines and the Tea Party against the Export-Import Bank became even more interesting on Thursday when the government bank struck back at the airline in a classically Washington way -- by handing an $84.8 million loan guarantee to a Delta customer.
. . .
The Ex-Im Bank, which provides loan support for foreign buyers of American products, is up for reauthorization. Calling the bank little more than a purveyor of corporate welfare, lawmakers and independent groups on the hard right -- and, to a lesser extent, the left -- are fighting the measure. Delta is the primary corporate opponent of the bank's reauthorization.
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In a statement provided to HuffPost, Delta downplayed the significance of the loan and tweaked the bank for making a statement about it.

"Delta Air Lines has provided engine maintenance for the Brazilian carrier GOL since being awarded a contract in 2010," said Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec. "Delta was not party to the loan transaction recently announced by the Export Import Bank for the Brazilian carrier GOL, but appreciate the Bank bringing it to our attention."

While the language is technically accurate, the statement is misleading. Delta is not, to be sure, a "party to the loan transaction"; that transaction is between a Brazilian company and the Ex-Im Bank. The bank, however, only authorizes such loans to benefit specific American exporters who are part of the application process. According to bank procedures, as the domestic exporter benefiting from the transaction, Delta would have been required to play a role in the application process, which began in October." bolding mine

Way to go, Pride of Atlanta.