New TV Ad Hits Senator Menendez on Crude Oil Export Ban, Seeks Clarification of His Position
First Ad in Allied Progress Campaign Focused on Key Senators As Congress Considers Change in 40-year Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Allied Progress – a recently launched organization that works to hold powerful interests accountable and fights for the interests of everyday Americans – unveiled a television ad highlighting the importance of the crude oil export ban and calling on New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez to stand firm in his longtime support of the policy.
The 30-second ad, which will begin airing tomorrow in New Jersey for a week on statewide cable television and digital pre-roll online, comes as debate over the 40-year old export ban heats up in Washington. It is the first in a series of ads from Allied Progress urging key Senators to maintain the ban and avoid the damaging impacts of repeal: increased gas prices, U.S. jobs shipped overseas, and America’s chance at energy independence squandered.
Senator Menendez has been a longtime champion of the ban, writing in a 2013 letter to President Obama that it “protect[s] U.S. consumers from volatility and price spikes.” But just last week, Senator Menendez signaled that he may be open to exceptions to the ban stating, “we should…consider licensing the strategic export of American oil to allied countries struggling with supply.”
“Until recently, Senator Menendez seemed to have a great understanding of the importance of the ban on exporting American crude oil overseas. His public wavering is deeply concerning,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress. “This isn’t a bargaining chip for a game of Congressional legislative poker. We shouldn’t be gambling with the jobs of hardworking Americans or our efforts to achieve energy independence. It is vital that Senator Menendez uphold his promise and make clear he still supports keeping the ban in place.”
Allied Progress also released a fact sheet today outlining how repealing the crude oil export ban could raise gas prices, ship U.S. jobs overseas, and squander America’s chance at energy independence.
A recent national survey indicated that a strong majority of Americans back Allied Progress’ position. In that survey, nearly 70 percent of all respondents were opposed to allowing oil and gas companies to export more U.S. oil and gas to foreign countries, including 61 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of independents, and 75 percent of Democrats.
Voiceover Script From the 30-Second Ad, “Promise”
Bob Menendez made us a promise. [Menendez: “If we drill it in America, we should keep it in America.”] Now, he might break his word by letting Big Oil ship American crude overseas. Lifting the Crude Oil Ban could raise gas prices, cost U.S. jobs and help grow China’s economy while putting our energy future at greater risk from terrorists like ISIS by making us more dependent on Middle Eastern oil. Tell Senator Menendez: don’t give away our energy independence.
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