Groups backed by Koch brothers sing Bernie Sanders' praises on Export-Import Bank

Charles Koch is worth an estimated $36 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Brothers Charles and David Koch, massive funders of conservative political causes, are praising "democratic socialist" Sen. Bernie Sanders for his opposition to the U.S. Export-Import Bank. less Charles Koch is worth an estimated $36 billion, according to Forbes magazine. Brothers Charles and David Koch, massive funders of conservative political causes, are praising "democratic socialist" Sen. Bernie ... more Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Groups backed by Koch brothers sing Bernie Sanders' praises on Export-Import Bank 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Sen. Bernie Sanders, in his presidential campaign, rails against billionaires' growing clout in American politics, singling out oilmen Charles and David Koch, largest private financiers of right-wing causes in America.

But the Koch brothers, or at least groups tied to them, are now singling out Bernie Sanders for praise.

The cause of their kudos is Sanders' Sunday night attack on the U.S. Export Import Bank. The bank helps businesses small and large (notably Boeing) finance sales of products abroad and compete with such subsidized industries as Europe's Airbus.

Heritage Action, an activist offshoot of the Heritage Foundation, tweeted Monday: "Even Bernie Sanders knows Export-Import Bank is 'called the bank of Boeing'." The Koch brothers have given the group a half-million dollars.

Bernie Sanders is the star in a new video put out by Freedom Partners, the center of the Koch political empire.

"Bernie Sanders is right about the Export-Import Bank," declares the video.

The video pictures Sanders holding forth on the Export-Import Bank: Sanders was the lone member of Democrats' Senate caucus to oppose renewal of the bank last year.

"I don't want to break the bad news, but Democrats are now always right: Democrats have often supported corporate welfare," Sanders said in one video.

At another point, Sanders is heard declaring: "Seventy-five percent of the funds going from the federal government to the Export-Import Bank goes to large, profitable corporations."

Sanders ought to check his facts. The Export-Import Bank actually runs at a profit, and returned about $650 million to the U.S. Treasury in 2014. And the money to underwrite Boeing jet sales filters down to a myriad of small subcontractors.

In any event, remarks by the self-described democratic socialism are being celebrated by Freedom Partners.

"We agree," says the video, "That's why we oppose corporate welfare across the board."

"Help fight corporate welfare at FreedomPartners.org

Loans by the Export-Import Bank support an estimated 85,000 jobs in Washington, the lion's share at Boeing but also such firms as a brewery in Ballard and a music stand maker in Yakima.

The Washington congressional delegation played a major role in overcoming conservative resistance last year, and getting the bank reauthorized.

All six of the delegations Democratic House members, and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., issued statements defending "Ex-Im" after Sanders denounced it in the debate.

The issue is expected to figure in Washington's upcoming March 26 Democratic presidential caucuses.