WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan trio of U.S. senators, led by John Fetterman (D-PA), introduced a new bill aimed at tightening controls on the sale of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The legislation, titled the Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act, seeks to prohibit crude oil from the reserve from being sold to countries deemed adversaries of the United States, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The bill, introduced jointly by Senators Fetterman, Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Ted Cruz (R-TX), underscores growing concern over U.S. energy resources being accessed by hostile nations. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) is championing the House version of the bill, which further cements bipartisan accord on the issue.
“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve protects America’s energy, economic, and national security,” Senator Fetterman stated. “We must prioritize the safety of America and our allies—we cannot allow our adversaries to purchase oil from our critical energy reserves. This is a commonsense bill with strong bipartisan support. I’m proud to introduce it with Senator Cruz, Senator Slotkin, and my colleagues in the House. I look forward to getting it signed into law this congress.”
Protecting America’s Energy and Security
The SPR, established in 1975 amidst the OPEC oil embargo, was designed to safeguard the United States from abrupt supply disruptions. It serves as the world’s largest emergency crude oil stockpile. However, recent practices that allowed entities tied to adversarial governments to purchase SPR oil through public auctions have come under scrutiny.
“Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant to bolster our national security, and it should never be sold to hostile nations like Russia, Iran, or China,” Senator Slotkin asserted. “This bipartisan bill prevents hostile nations from buying oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Energy security shouldn’t ever be a partisan issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill and fortify our energy security as a nation.”
Bipartisan Concerns Over Policy Gaps
Support for the bill transcends party lines, with Senator Cruz adding his voice to the call for more stringent controls over SPR oil sales. “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant to protect the U.S. during crises, not supply our adversaries. Under President Biden, part of this reserve was sold, benefiting China’s strategic interests,” Cruz remarked. “There is strong bipartisan consensus around preventing such a sale from being repeated. I’m proud to work with Senator Fetterman and Senator Slotkin on this legislation, which will prevent U.S. oil reserves from being sold to adversarial nations.”
Bipartisan urgency over the matter seems to stem from reports that recent SPR auctions have included buyers with connections to governments like China’s. Though these auctions are conducted publicly and to the highest bidder, the risks of inadvertently boosting the energy stockpiles of adversarial regimes are seen as unacceptable by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan echoed outrage over the loophole that made such transactions possible. “When I heard there was a loophole enabling our foreign adversaries to purchase oil from our strategic reserves, I was shocked and outraged,” she said. “When gas prices rise, releases from the strategic reserve are meant to ease the financial burden for working families—not potentially end up in the hands of those who wish our service members, country, and NATO Allies harm.”
The Broader Implications
The act does more than close the door on oil transactions with adversarial nations; it signals growing bipartisan alignment on energy and national security issues. The bill is being introduced amid broader discussions about energy independence, U.S. competition with a rising China, and responding to Russia’s aggression on the global stage. By addressing vulnerabilities in SPR management, lawmakers hope to bolster safeguards that prioritize domestic and allied interests.
If enacted, the legislation could also influence how emergency energy resources are managed more broadly, reinforcing the SPR’s original purpose as a strategic buffer against external threats. The legislation holds implications for global energy markets as well, sending a clear message that U.S. reserves will no longer indirectly fuel the ambitions of rival states.
Looking Ahead
With prior bipartisan efforts to restrict SPR sales to adversarial nations receiving strong support, prospects for the bill’s passage appear promising. Last year, a related amendment gained overwhelming approval in the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signaling growing momentum for this type of measure.
The Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act represents a measured, strategic response to contemporary geopolitical challenges. By closing this critical loophole, lawmakers aim to strengthen the United States’ energy security while reducing the risk of inadvertently aiding adversaries.
The bill’s trajectory will undoubtedly prove a focal point in this Congress, with significant bipartisan consensus reflecting shared priorities in preserving national interests. If successfully passed, the legislation could set a precedent for protecting critical resources in an increasingly turbulent global economy.
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