H.R.942 - Banning Strategic Petroleum Reserve Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act; Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 942, the "Banning Strategic Petroleum Reserve Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act," aims to prevent the export or sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to specific foreign adversaries. These adversaries include the People's Republic of China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran, as well as any entities under their control or the control of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to implement these prohibitions.
The bill allows the Secretary of Energy to issue waivers if such exports or sales are deemed in the national security interests of the United States. It also mandates the Secretary to issue a rule within 60 days of the Act's enactment to carry out the provisions of the bill.
The bill includes conforming amendments to existing sections of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 to ensure consistency with the new export restrictions.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to restrict the flow of SPR oil to countries considered adversaries of the United States. This could potentially impact global oil markets and the energy security of the targeted nations.
It may also lead to diplomatic tensions or retaliatory measures from the affected countries. Domestically, it could influence energy prices and the availability of oil resources.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthened national security by preventing adversaries from accessing U.S. strategic oil reserves.
- Reduced potential for U.S. resources to indirectly support hostile regimes.
- Enhanced energy security for the United States by prioritizing domestic needs.
- Potentially increased domestic oil supply, leading to lower prices for consumers.
- Demonstrates a firm stance against adversarial nations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for retaliatory actions from targeted countries, impacting international relations.
- Possible disruptions to global oil markets, leading to price volatility.
- Limited flexibility in responding to global energy crises due to export restrictions.
- Increased administrative burden on the Secretary of Energy to process waiver requests.
- Potential for unintended economic consequences due to altered trade flows.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional powers of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and to provide for the common defense (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). It does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
The waiver provision granted to the Secretary of Energy allows for executive flexibility, which is consistent with the President's role in foreign policy and national security. The bill does not appear to violate the separation of powers.
However, the specific designation of countries as adversaries could be subject to debate and may raise questions about due process if it leads to broader economic sanctions or restrictions beyond the scope of SPR oil exports.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).