The House voted down an amendment Friday, 306-109, to remove a contentious rider to a bill repealing the 40-year-old oil export ban.
The amendment includes $500 million in payments to a defense-related program that conservative groups critcized for being a handout to the maritime shipping industry and its unions.
Rep. Justin Amash, a Tea Party Republican from Michigan, introduced the amendment to remove the provision, which was rejected by voice vote. A roll call vote was called, which made clear that removing the multi-million dollar rider was unpopular not only with the Republicans, but more so on the Democratic side. Two Democrats were for it, while 173 opposed the Amash amendment. Republicans opposed to it totaled 133.
The controversy spiked earlier this week as some conservative groups that support repealing the oil export ban said they would have to withdraw that support due to the rider. Many referred to the rider as part of a “back-room deal” that spoiled the original bill.
Lobbyists for refiners say the provision was an attempt to make the bill immune to a presidential veto, which the White House said is a certainty. The bill would require 290 votes in the House to make it veto proof.
