WASHINGTON: Rep. Joe Barton’s (R-Texas) bill to lift the ban on crude oil exports passed its first subcommittee by voice vote.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on energy and power passed the bill after Democrats lodged various objections.
But most of the Democrats who spoke at the meeting said they’d be willing to work with Barton and Republicans to make changes to the bill.
“This bipartisan bill would put an end to the outdated restrictions on the export of American oil,” Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), chairman of the subcommittee, said during the brief meeting.
“Allowing oil exports would provide a major boost for jobs and the economy, help keep gasoline affordable and strengthen our national security,” he said.
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), the ranking member, said he wanted to make the bill better for minorities.
“Before opening the door to this global market, I must feel confident that underrepresented communities all around this country would indeed benefit from the opportunities that will come from lifting this ban,” he said.
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