(Washington, DC) The House Energy and Power Subcommittee recently considered H.R. 702, a bill to lift the ban on crude oil exports. In a relatively brief session, it was approved and reported to the full Committee without amendment, by unrecorded voice vote. Markup and action by the full Committee is tentatively scheduled for next Thursday September 17.
Recognizing that bipartisanship will be important to the ultimate success of the legislation in the full House and Senate, focus of attention was on statements by minority members for indications of how they might act at the Committee level and beyond. Several minority members expressed reservations about the bill in its present form, but indicated a willingness to work with the majority to find ways to allow exports while addressing the interests of their constituencies. In his opening statement, Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL) stated “the time might be ripe for lifting the ban”. While he would not support the bill in its present form, he stated his intention to continue to work with the bill’s author to find ways for exports to benefit all segments of the population. All majority members of the subcommittee making statements spoke in favor of the legislation.
It is clear that EEIA’s work to heighten the understanding and appreciation in Congress of the importance of the supply chain’s economic and employment potential is bearing fruit. In countless conversations, Members of Congress and staff are now citing the 50-state jobs impact at the supplier level as a key reason to support exports. The focus over the next several days will be on finding ways to broaden bipartisanship while preserving the essential goals of free trade in crude oil and the boost to domestic production and to jobs and business output in the multi-tiered supply chain that supports the industry. EEIA is actively participating in those discussions, and has been the primary provider of Congressional district-level supply chain job creation information. We will continue full focus on this and keep you up to date in the critical days ahead.