This Week: Oil export ban teeters in Congress

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.

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