Contact Congress about S. 393: Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act

Oil from the U.S. emergency reserve could not be sold or exported to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or certain linked companies. The Energy Secretary could make a case-by-case exception for U.S. national security. The Department of Energy would have 60 days to issue rules.

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Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Latest action on S. 393: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects foreign governments and companies that might try to buy oil from the U.S. emergency reserve, along with U.S. officials who manage those sales. It could also matter to oil traders and firms that bid on SPR oil, because the buyer pool would be narrower. Companies with ownership ties to the listed countries or to the Chinese Communist Party could face extra scrutiny even if they operate outside those countries.

Why this matters: This matters because the U.S. emergency oil stockpile could no longer be sold to governments the bill treats as foreign adversaries, except in rare cases. That would put a national security limit on who can benefit from SPR releases during supply shocks or crises. It could also change how those sales work in practice, because officials would need to screen buyers more closely and decide when a waiver is justified.

Key provisions in S. 393

• The Secretary of Energy would have to stop Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil from being sold or exported to China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. This covers petroleum products released from the reserve.
• The ban would also reach companies those countries own or control. It would also cover entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
• The Secretary of Energy could waive the ban for one deal at a time. The Secretary would have to certify that the deal is in the national security interest of the United States.
• The Department of Energy would have to write the rules to carry out this bill within 60 days after it becomes law.
• The bill would add this new export ban as section 164 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. It would also update related references in existing law so the rule fits into the broader U.S. oil export system.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 393

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 393

What is S. 393?

Oil from the U.S. emergency reserve could not be sold or exported to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or certain linked companies. The Energy Secretary could make a case-by-case exception for U.S. national security. The Department of Energy would have 60 days to issue rules.

How do I support or oppose S. 393?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 393?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 393 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.