By Timothy Cama, The Hill.
Congress is focused on passing legislation to fund the federal government and renew tax policies, two measures that could have a sweeping impact on the energy sector.
The current government funding measure runs through Wednesday, leaving lawmakers with a tight timeline for action as they also seek to extend certain tax policies and incentives before the holidays.
Republicans have been pushing to insert a provision into one of the bills that would lift the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil from the United States, the top priority for the oil industry.
But in return, Democrats want to renew a tax credit for renewable energy on a long-term basis, or see other green energy measures included.