[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 52 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   U.S. GOVERNMENT OKAYS OIL EXPORTS FOR IRAN BUT NO OIL EXPORTS FOR 
                                AMERICA?

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the United States is now the largest 
crude oil producer in the world, but instead of exporting excess oil 
like other nations, the United States oil producers are forced to leave 
oil in the ground. The solution is clear--lift the crude oil ban. We 
should follow the Blue Bell Ice Cream philosophy: use all you can and 
sell the rest--here, in this case, abroad.
  Exports will improve our national security by increasing United 
States influence around the world. We can make Middle Eastern oil, 
politics, and their turmoil irrelevant. Europe gets 40 percent of its 
oil from Russia, and our exports will give Europeans an alternative to 
Putin's monopoly and will thwart his aggression. Japan and South Korea 
rely on crude oil from Iran to satisfy their growing energy 
consumption.
  Speaking of Iran, Mr. Speaker, because of the deal, it is now U.S. 
Government policy to eventually allow Iran to export crude oil, but it 
is U.S. policy to prohibit U.S. producers to do the same. How nutty is 
that?
  Lifting the ban will create thousands of jobs, inject billions of 
dollars into the economy, and help advance our national interests 
abroad. Make the same deal with America the Government made with Iran--
allow oil exports.
  And that is just the way it is.

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