"I Will Not Gamble with Refinery Jobs"

Press Release

Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07) today opposed a government funding measure that would endanger thousands of jobs at refineries in southeastern Pennsylvania by lifting the decades-old ban on the export of crude oil.

"There's a lot in this bill that I support and fought for, including a significant increase in NIH research funding, help for 9/11 responders, and a strengthened Land and Water Conservation Fund," said Congressman Meehan. "But I will not gamble with refinery jobs and the families and communities they support. Generations of middle class families have depended on those refineries to help them put food on the table and their kids through school. Those jobs have been in jeopardy before, and they shouldn't be threatened again because of a policy change in Washington."

"The United States is still a net importer of crude oil, and every year we bring in millions of barrels of crude from overseas. Lifting the 40-year ban on exporting crude threatens to undermine our domestic refining industry and send gas prices at the pump higher. Already, U.S. oil prices have begun to rise in anticipation of lifting the ban. It will ultimately reduce our ability to meet our own energy needs."

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