Jones Votes Against Bill To End Ban On Selling Us Oil To China, Russia, Middle East

Press Release

Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against legislation -- H.R. 702 -- that would revoke the 40-year old law that prohibits the export of U.S. oil to foreign countries like China, Russia, and much of the Middle East. The existing oil export prohibition was put in place after the Arab oil embargo of the 1970s, and was designed to reduce American dependence on crude oil from foreign countries, many of whom are adversaries. The prohibition has helped reduce American dependence on foreign oil to roughly 25 percent. H.R. 702 would eliminate the export prohibition. U.S. oil prices are expected to go up as a result, as is U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Analysts also speculate that the most likely destination for exported U.S. oil would be China. Nevertheless, H.R. 702 passed the House by a vote of 261 to 159, and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

"Increasing U.S. dependence on foreign oil by allowing our oil to be shipped off to China and other countries that don't particularly like us just doesn't make sense," said Congressman Jones. "That's especially true at a time when the world is as chaotic as we've seen it in years."

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