Senate Votes to Block Sale of Strategic Oil Reserves to China and Iran, Citing National Security Concerns

The Senate has passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would prohibit the sale of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia. The amendment, spearheaded by Senators Ted Cruz and Joe Manchin, aims to prevent the sale of emergency oil reserves to adversaries. The move comes after concerns were raised about the Biden administration selling nearly a million barrels from the reserve to a Chinese state-controlled crude giant. The House had previously passed a similar measure, with bipartisan support.