Heretofore, the one primary argument has been that exports of crude oil would increase the domestic price of oil. However, export advocates argue (and the EIA analysis would tend to agree) that the country is now a sizable enough producer that they would instead pull global prices down to U.S. levels.The U.S. House of Representatives voted 261-159 on 9 October to lift the ban on crude oil exports. The bill must now go to the Senate for consideration. Two committees there have already voted to lift the ban; a repeal was passed by both the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (12-10) and the Banking Committee (13-9). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) hasn’t indicated whether he will bring the legislation to the floor. Even...