Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) today issued the following statement after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved H.R. 702, a bill that allows the United States to adapt to changing crude oil market conditions:

“The current ban on U.S. crude oil exports is outdated, and it is holding us back. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can agree that policies that restrict the United States from competing in the global market harm our economy.

“Instead of supporting the bipartisan effort to lift the ban on U.S. crude oil exports, the president has made it clear that he would rather a country like Iran surpass the United States in the global energy market. President Obama would prefer to grow the bureaucracy in our federal government and push his own agenda rather than help foster free enterprise in the United States.

“I want the president to know that lifting the export ban on crude oil is about maintaining our standing as a global leader, incentivizing innovation, and bringing jobs back to our communities. Passing H.R. 702 out of the committee today is an important step in making sure U.S. energy policies evolve to support innovation and American jobs, and I am going to work to make sure we keep this momentum.”

H.R. 702 passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 31-19. A vote on the bill is expected in the U.S. House of Representatives in September.

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