U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski again pressed for an end to a 1970s ban on crude oil exports, arguing the United States can prove its mettle with its oil reserves. Legislation enacted in response to the 1970s oil embargo by Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries bans the export of unprocessed crude oil. With U.S. oil production eclipsing 9 million barrels per day, Murkowski argued ending the ban would be a strategic initiative. “This is something that is simply in the best interest of the United States, in terms of both our economic strength and our national security,” she said in a statement. “The time to legislate on oil exports is now.” Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Energy Committee, introduced a measure in May that seeks […]