Senate Votes to Ban Sales of US Strategic Oil Reserves to China

The Senate adopted an amendment Thursday that blocks China from purchasing oil from the US’s emergency stockpiles.

The measure added to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act comes amid a renewed focus on the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which stands at a 40-year-low following the Biden administration’s 180 million barrel drawdown last year to help tame oil prices in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The measure, sponsored by West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, passed by a vote of 85-14.

WATCH: The US Senate has voted to block China from buying oil from emergency stockpiles. Jodi Schneider reports.

Source: Bloomberg

The legislation is similar to a bill that passed ...