Durbin wants amendment vote on his Africa trade bill

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) wants to add an amendment increasing trade to Africa to a bill being considered by the Senate on extending a banking program.

The Senate is considering S. 3637, a bill extending the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program through 2014, which provides government guarantees for non-interest-bearing bank accounts used by small companies and municipalities.

Durbin’s amendment is based on a bill he introduced, the Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act, S. 2215, which would direct the president to establish a comprehensive strategy to invest in African trade.

“Exporting more to Africa helps create jobs here,” Durbin said on the floor Tuesday. “I think we could increase exports by 200 percent.”

Durbin said he worries that China is investing in Africa at a faster rate than the United States — something he said America would regret some day.

The Senate will vote to end debate on a motion to proceed to S. 3637 at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has not said if amendments will be allowed to his banking bill.

Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) are co-sponsors of Durbin's Africa trade bill.

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