Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against lifting the export ban on crude oil. Larsen issued the following statement regarding his decision about H.R. 702, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed by a vote of 261-159.

“This bill to lift the ban our country has on exports of crude oil only adds uncertainty to the lives of the thousands of workers at the refineries in Northwest Washington. These women and men work hard to manufacture energy products we rely on to keep our economy moving. If Congress moves to get rid of the ban, lawmakers also have to protect these workers and the energy security they provide to our country.

“Additionally, I voted against an amendment that would have stripped funding from the Maritime Security Program (MSP). I have long supported this program that helps our country maintain an active and robust fleet of ships in service to our national security and boosts maritime manufacturing jobs in the Northwest and nationwide,” Larsen said. 

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