Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Senate Climate Clearinghouse, released the following statement today after the Senate passed his amendment to the Senate energy bill by a vote of 62-29 that would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review and report back annually for three years on the impacts of crude oil exports on U.S. consumers, independent refineries, shipbuilders and energy production. The omnibus spending bill that was enacted into law in December 2015 lifted the 40-year old restrictions on exporting U.S. oil overseas.