One Step Closer To Lifting The Crude Oil Exports Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement today applauding the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce for favorably reporting H.R. 702, a bill “To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions.”

“Lifting the ban on crude oil exports, a relic of the 1970's, is a common-sense change that will create good jobs here at home while strengthening America's energy security by increasing domestic oil production,” Rep. Scalise, a member of the committee, said. “Permitting the export of domestic crude oil would create thousands of Louisiana jobs, strengthen American energy security, and lower gas prices at the pump. I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, particularly my friend Congressman Joe Barton, for championing this important bill for the hard-working taxpayers of Louisiana and our nation.”

Background on Scalise involvement in lifting the crude oil export ban:

-As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Scalise submitted an opening statement for the Subcommittee markup ofH.R. 702, Last week, the subcommittee unanimously approved the measure.

-In his role as Majority Whip, Scalise has been promoting lifting the ban to his House colleagues.

-Scalise is a cosponsor of H.R. 702, a bill “To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions.”

-Earlier this month, Scalise applauded the U.S. Department of Energy’s conclusion that “[p]etroleum product prices in the United States, including gasoline prices, would be either unchanged or slightly reduced by the removal of current restrictions on crude oil exports.”

-In August, Scalise praised the U.S. Department of Commerce for allowing some export swaps of crude oil to Mexico.

-In July, Scalise joined WWL-TV (CBS) in New Orleans to discuss the importance of lifting the ban.