Senate Panel OKs Oil Export Bill, But Party Split Signals Trouble

"WASHINGTON — Legislation authorizing crude exports advanced through another congressional panel on Thursday with a mostly party-line vote that underscored some senators’ deep skepticism of making a big trade policy change to benefit oil producers without new environmental safeguards or taxes.

“If there is a realistic opportunity to get something like this passed, it’s going to require a more comprehensive approach,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. “There are environmental issues to be dealt with, there are jobs issues and, honestly, there are revenue issues as well that could be part of the mix.”

The panel ultimate voted 13-9 to approve the oil exports bill authored by North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who was the only Democrat to cross party lines and join the 12 committee Republicans in favoring the measure."

Jennifer A. Dlouhy reports for FuelFix October 1, 2015.

Source: FuelFix, 10/02/2015