"Republican senators repeatedly pushed the secretary of Energy Tuesday to support lifting the ban on oil exports and explain why President Obama does not agree.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz told the lawmakers at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing that oil exports are not within his purview, but nonetheless defended Obama’s opposition to the bills in both chambers to lift the ban.

'Do you agree that U.S. crude oil exports would benefit the energy security of our allies and trading partners?' Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) asked."

Timothy Cama reports for The Hill October 6, 2015. [2]