After Menendez Clarifies Support of Crude Oil Export Ban, Allied Progress Declares Victory

Ad Campaign Forced New Jersey Senator to Explain His Position, Group Turns Focus to Other Senators

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Allied Progress – the group that has been running a nearly week-long ad campaign urging Senator Bob Menendez to clarify his position on the crude oil export ban – declared victory and pulled down its television and online ads after the New Jersey Senator made clear he supports the ban as is and that any exemptions considered would be in accordance with what is already allowed under the law. The group will now shift its focus to other uncommitted Senators.

“After appearing to waver on the issue over the last few weeks, we’re glad that Senator Menendez has now taken a clear and unambiguous stand in favor of the crude oil export ban and declared he supports no changes to the current law,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress. “Because the Senator has clarified his position, we will be pulling down our ads in New Jersey and turning our focus to other Senators whose support will be needed to keep this important legislation in place.”

For years, big oil has been hard at work encouraging Congress to repeal the crude oil export ban. Such a move would pad the bottom line of oil companies already bringing in billions of dollars in profit each year and also strengthen the economies of foreign countries such as China. Unfortunately, the American people would not fare as well. Experts estimate lifting the ban could raise gas prices by as much as 14.5 cents per gallon, cost thousands of American jobs, and hold our national security and energy independence hostage to foreign oil suppliers in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND:

  • Menendez Clarifies Stance: On Thursday afternoon, Reuters reported, “A Menendez spokeswoman said he still does not support lifting the ban and was only referring to export exemptions allowed under U.S. law.” (Emphasis added.) Click Here
  • Memo to the Media from Allied Progress: On Thursday morning, Allied Progress sent a memo to the media titled, “Senator Menendez Has Serious Questions to Answer on Crude Oil Export Ban.” Click Here
  • Press Release from Allied Progress: On Tuesday morning, Allied Progress announced its ad campaign in a press release, “New TV Ad Hits Senator Menendez on Crude Oil Export Ban, Seeks Clarification of His Position.” Click Here
  • “Promise” 30 Second Ad from Allied Progress: Beginning Tuesday, Allied Progress ran a statewide ad on New Jersey cable television and pre-roll video online. Click Here

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