The Associated Press reports that “Republican demands to end the ban on exporting crude oil emerged as a final negotiating point Monday as White House and congressional negotiators moved toward completing a year-end spending bill and a tax-cutting package.”  

“In a Monday evening conference call among House Republicans, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said bargainers were close to agreements on the spending and tax measures that he expected to publicly release today, which would set up votes later in the week. He said the bills would contain victories for both parties but provided few details, according to an official who described the private conversation on condition of anonymity.”  

“Officials later said that negotiators had tentatively agreed to end the 40-year ban on the export of crude oil, a priority for many Republicans and some Democrats — although the repeal is opposed by the White House.”