Ending the Crude Oil Export Ban -

On September 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill to end the 40-year-old ban on the export of domestic crude oil. The Committee vote was passed by a Republican majority, with three Democrats adding their support. The legislation could be brought up on the House floor sometime in the coming weeks. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) had originally set a deadline of the end of September for House consideration, and the bill was included on the House calendar for this week, although floor consideration may be delayed due to recent events including the resignation of Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH).

Back in July, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted along party lines in favor of a bill to lift the ban, while opening more areas to offshore drilling and giving nearby states a share of the royalties. The Senate Banking Committee, which also holds jurisdiction over the issue, is scheduled to mark up the bill on October 1. The bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate before the end of the year, and the debate will be intense.