WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following statement upon the House of Representatives’ passage of legislation lifting restrictions on crude oil exports: 

“I applaud the House of Representatives for voting today to remove restrictions on exports of domestic crude oil, an effort strongly led by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas. Eliminating the de facto ban on crude oil exports is long past due. This ban is a relic of 1970s price controls, and like most of the 70’s fads, this one is far past its prime. It’s time to put it to bed for good.

“Today’s vote is a significant step forward, but there is still much to be done to fully repeal this outdated ban. Lifting the oil export ban is free trade, plain and simple. And I support free trade. We should be embracing our country’s energy revolution, and one of the best ways to do this is to export our energy resources around the world. Not only would this provide many jobs, especially in the state of Texas, but it would also sustain lower gas prices. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the benefits resulting from free trade extend to all.

“President Obama’s threat to veto efforts to repeal the crude oil export ban is troubling. Even as he rushes to remove sanctions on Iran’s oil industry, a country that funds radical Islamic terrorists around the world, President Obama vows to maintain sanctions on the U.S. oil industry. At the same time, the President ignores our friends and allies begging the United States to allow more energy exports, as they seek alternative suppliers to replace aggressive autocracies like Russia and Iran.  

“I have consistently led efforts to remove barriers to cross-border energy development, and the past two Congresses I have introduced the American Energy Renaissance Act. Additionally, in January I offered a full repeal amendment to S. 1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, which would repeal the ban on U.S. crude oil exports. I will continue to fight to repeal this oil export ban and urge my colleagues and the President to join me in this endeavor.”

 ###