WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Obama administration continues to oppose Congressional action to lift the decades-long ban on exporting US crude oil, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing on Friday.
"We do not believe it is necessary for Congress to take legislative action in this area, and that is why we have been pretty consistent about opposing legislative action in this area," Earnest said.
In October, the US House of Representatives passed legislation to lift the US crude oil export ban. Congressman Joe Barton, the sponsor of the bill, has previously stated that the United States could produce up to 20 million barrels per day in contrast to the present 9 million barrels per day.
President Obama has threatened to veto the bill, stating that now is not the time to repeal the oil export ban. Obama has argued such a move would contradict US policy that seeks to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.
