Four Texas Democrats in Congress warn Biden against restricting U.S. oil exports

An oil well operated by Apache Corporation Oil/Gas Wells and Leases in Midland on Dec. 7, 2021. (Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune)

Four Texas Democrats in Congress are warning President Joe Biden against restricting U.S. oil exports as a way of fighting high gas prices.

“We urge you and your administration to reject any well-intentioned but misguided calls to curtail American crude oil and/or petroleum exports in reaction to the high gasoline and diesel prices currently seen at the pump,” the Texas Democrats say in a new letter to Biden. “As you know, domestic gasoline prices are set by an international benchmark (Brent), and restricting US crude exports would lower global supply and increase costs here at home.”