The House is poised Friday to vote on a major piece of energy legislation that would lift the 40-year-old ban on oil exports.
Repealing the ban has become a major priority for the GOP as a job creator in the oil and gas sector being pummeled by low oil prices. Democrats, however, oppose the measure, fearing removal of the ban will drive up energy prices and harm the economy.
The bill has gone through some major changes since Monday, causing some splits among conservative groups that originally supported the measure.
A contentious rider added without a vote by the House Rules Committee and the leadership sparked dismay by the groups Heritage Action and FreedomWorks this week for adding $500 million for a maritime defense program that the groups called a gift to the maritime industry and its unions.
FreedomWorks withdrew its support for the bill on Wednesday, but by Thursday night said an amendment would be offered Friday to remove the contentious maritime stipend, which would regain their support. Regardless, other conservative groups support the lifting the ban even with the $500 million in added spending.
The bill is expected to be voted on by noon, according to some industry groups. But considering the questions over the House speaker race, and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., bowing out of the race for a new speaker, it is uncertain what will happen.
The majority leader’s website says legislative business will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, but when votes will begin is still to be determined. The bill lifting the oil export ban, H.R. 702, is the only piece of legislation on the agenda for Friday, according to McCarthy’s website.
