Today Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and Joe Barton (R-TX-6) commended their colleagues on the bipartisan House floor vote to end the ban on crude oil exports. Cuellar and Barton introduced this legislation in February of this year. The bill passed 261-159, with 26 Democrats voting in favor.

The United States is now one of the world’s leading energy producers, but our economy is hampered by an outdated energy policy of the 1970s.

“The House’s vote today to overturn the crude oil export ban is a strong step toward a more prosperous U.S. energy sector,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I come from one of the most active oil-producing regions of the country. With the Eagle Ford Shale in my district and the Permian Basin nearby, I recognize the great potential for our domestic oil industry, and I also understand the way in which it is being suppressed by this outdated export ban.

“Lifting the ban will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, increase GDP by $134 billion and raise government revenues by $29 billion. The ban harms national security by preventing the U.S. from fully utilizing all the tools in our arsenal, while at the same time allowing Russia and Iran to claim an outsize market share among our allies.”

Rep. Barton stated, “This is a major victory for the American people. Lifting the ban on crude exports will put Americans to work, enhance our national security, and lower gas prices. Over the past year we have bridged many divides to get to this point. I would like to thank Henry Cuellar for his leadership and the many outside groups that made this issue one of national importance. ”

H.R. 702 received support from a vast array of outside groups. Notably, this bill was endorsed by: the US Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Tax Reform, Producers for American Crude Exports, American Maritime Officers Service, and the Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development. This rare coalition that includes: industry, labor, producers and consumers, was achieved through the leadership of Reps. Cuellar and Barton.

“In Texas, we have seen our economy grow by leaps and bounds due in large part to the boom in energy production. Lifting the ban on exports will allow our State’s economy to continue this growth pattern and benefit all Texans,” added Barton.

Reps. Cuellar and Barton applaud the House for voting to end the ban and urge the Senate to take up this measure. With strong support, as seen in the House today, the president should see the need to act and stop playing politics with American jobs.