CRUDE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1850

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-05-08T12:54:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act" (CRUDE Act), H.R. 1850, aims to limit the President's ability to restrict or require licenses for exporting crude oil from the United States. It seeks to promote freer trade in U.S. crude oil by making it harder to impose such restrictions, except under very specific and severe conditions related to national economic harm.

Key Provisions

• Amended Conditions for Restrictions: The bill modifies existing law to allow the President to impose export licensing requirements or other restrictions on crude oil only if:
• The Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and Commerce jointly determine and report to the President and Congress that U.S. crude oil exports have caused ongoing serious shortages in oil supply or prices much higher than global market levels, directly due to these exports.
• These shortages or price spikes have caused or are likely to cause significant and lasting job losses in the U.S.
• The President then declares a national emergency based on this report and publishes the declaration in the Federal Register (the official government gazette for notices).
• Removal of Broader Authorities: The bill eliminates one previous condition (subparagraph C) that allowed restrictions without the new requirements and adjusts another (subparagraph B) to close off easier pathways for restrictions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Prior to this bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (which lifted the long-standing ban on crude oil exports) allowed the President broader discretion to impose restrictions through simpler processes, such as consultations with other agencies or responses to national security concerns.
• This legislation narrows that authority significantly, requiring multi-agency consensus on specific economic harms (like supply shortages, high prices, and job losses) and a formal national emergency declaration. It removes a catch-all provision (subparagraph C), making restrictions rarer and more accountable to Congress.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases coordination demands on the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Commerce for any potential restrictions, potentially slowing executive action on energy exports. The President gains a formalized process but loses flexibility.
• On Citizens: Could stabilize or lower domestic fuel prices by encouraging exports, benefiting consumers and industries reliant on affordable energy. However, in rare cases of declared emergencies, it might lead to short-term supply controls affecting jobs in oil-dependent regions.
• On International Relations: Promotes U.S. crude oil as a reliable global supply, strengthening energy ties with allies (e.g., Europe) and potentially reducing dependence on oil from adversarial nations like Russia or OPEC members. This could influence global energy markets and trade negotiations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Oil Producers and Energy Companies: Primary beneficiaries, as easier exports could boost production, revenues, and market access for firms in states like Texas and North Dakota.
• Consumers and Workers: Everyday Americans might see lower energy costs, but oil industry workers could face risks if emergencies trigger restrictions.
• Government Entities: Congress gains indirect oversight through required reports; executive agencies (Defense, Energy, Commerce) must collaborate more closely.
• International Partners: Importing countries (e.g., in Europe or Asia) gain from increased U.S. supply, while oil-exporting rivals may face market pressure.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Tightens statutory limits on executive power over trade, ensuring restrictions align with clear economic evidence rather than vague concerns, which could reduce legal challenges to export bans.
• Constitutional: Reinforces congressional authority over commerce (under Article I) by mandating reports to Congress and limiting unilateral presidential action, potentially balancing separation of powers in energy policy.
• Political: Favors pro-energy independence agendas, likely appealing to lawmakers from oil-producing regions; it could spark debates on national security versus free trade, especially amid global energy crises.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (3 pages)