After Iran deal, White House opposes lifting ban on U.S. oil exports

On the heels of a diplomatic agreement that will expand Iran’s access to international oil markets, the White House said Tuesday it opposes a move by congressional Republicans to give U.S. oil companies that same access.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the administration opposes pending House legislation that would lift a decades-old ban on U.S. oil exports.

“This is a policy decision that is made over at the Commerce Department, and for that reason we wouldn’t support legislation like the one that’s been put forward by Republicans,” Mr. Earnest said.

House Republican leaders are expected to hold a vote during the last week of September.

“If there was ever a time to lift the oil export ban, it’s now,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, California Republican, in remarks prepared for business leaders in Houston. “Lifting the oil export ban will not only help our economy, it will also bolster our geopolitical standing.”

Mr. Earnest blasted Mr. McCarthy for making the policy announcement “in front of an organization in Houston that is largely funded by four or five of the biggest oil companies in the United States.”

“It is pretty clear, once again, where Republicans in Congress and their political benefactors stand when it comes to — their energy policy priorities,” he said.

“The priorities of his party in Congress is to cozy up to oil interests and to pursue policies and to make policy announcements that are clearly in their interests at venues that — where he can be sure that they see it.”