Republican Study Committee News

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has promoted Megan Bel Miller to Vice President for Government and Political Affairs. She will lead NOIA's Congressional relations and Political Action Committee.Megan joined the NOIA staff in May 2013 as Senior Director, Government & Political Affairs. “Megan’s unparalleled Hill and legislative experience combined with her knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico and the offshore energy industry have greatly benefitted the NOIA membership and staff over the past two years.She has helped further our mission to promote offshore energy access,” said NOIA President Randall Luthi. Before joining NOIA…

A senior U.S. Congressman from Texas has come out in full support of the United States lifting the 40-year old ban on crude oil exports, putting him at odds with fellow House Republicans wary of weighing in on the controversial issue. Rep. Joe Barton, who until now has maintained a relatively neutral public stance on a topic that has divided Republican members of the House energy and commerce committee, told Reuters in a statement that the time was right for the United States to overhaul its long-standing restrictions on exporting crude oil. "The shale revolution has changed the energy landscape in our country. It is time to change our laws to match this new reality…

Megan Bel joined the staff of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) as Senior Director, Government and Political Affairs. She comes to NOIA from the Office of Congressman Steve Scalise (R-LA) where she served as Legislative Director since 2008. She also recently served as Deputy Director of the Republican Study Committee. Bel staffed Congressman Scalise’s House Energy and Commerce Committee work from 2009-2013 and his House Natural Resources Committee work in 2008. She also advised the Congressman in his roles on the Gulf Coast Caucus, Western Caucus, House Energy Action Team and the Natural Gas Caucus. During and after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill…