Subsidized exporters began to lobby in earnest this week to save their subsidizer, the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Officials from Ex-Im — a federal agency that finances exports with taxpayer-backed loans and guarantees — also ramped up their lobbying.

In this charm offensive, Ex-Im and its beneficiaries highlight the agency’s most attractive sides: the small-business subsidies, the jobs supposedly created and saved, the pickle subsidies. But it doesn’t take much digging to see the less savory parts of Ex-Im. In fact, perusing the agency’s 2014 annual report, issued a few weeks ago, some deals jump out that make it hard to justify Ex-Im’s continued existence.

Recommended Stories

Bernie Sanders says alleged Democratic ballot-stacking in Alaska was ‘pretty dumb’

Michigan Democrats in disarray after Haley Stevens endorses Mike Rogers and gets kicked out of party

All 9 people aboard a jet that crashed in Florida have died, transportation secretary says