Washington, D.C. - Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee blocked a Republican amendment expressing Congress’s disapproval of the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which will lead to increased Russian energy dominance throughout Europe. During a full committee markup today, Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) delivered the following remarks:
“While I commend the Committee today for taking up four bills to enhance our energy security, we must address the actions by the Biden administration to do the exact opposite," Rep. Duncan said. “President Biden’s decision to waive sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline will effectively ensure its completion. This project was slowed during the Trump administration, but this Biden administration pass is a gift to Putin and will aid in his efforts to increase his stranglehold over Europe."
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“By waiving sanctions, President Biden is treating a pipeline that increases Russian influence far better than American pipelines that enhance our influence.
“As one of his very first acts, President Biden revoked the key permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which was critical to our energy security and a top priority to our Canadian allies. Just yesterday, the Keystone XL project was officially cancelled. It is truly baffling and illogical that President Biden is willing to green-light Russian energy projects over American energy projects and jobs."
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“This amendment does not make any changes to the underlying bill. It simply adds a new clause that states the following: ‘Congress disapproves of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline,’" Rep. Duncan said. “I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of my amendment to disapprove of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline completion and Putin’s stranglehold over Europe’s energy economy."
BLOCKED: Every single Democrats BLOCKED Rep. Duncan’s amendment. Just like the Biden-Harris administration, they are prioritizing Russian energy projects over American jobs and our own energy security.
All Democrats on E&C just BLOCKED an amendment to disapprove of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. ❌
They support Russian energy and Nord Stream 2 OVER American jobs and energy security.
- Energy & Commerce GOP (@HouseCommerce) June 10, 2021
This also comes after Leader Rodgers and 68 Republican members sent a letter to President Biden (before his visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin) about his decision to allow Nord Stream 2 to move forward, benefiting Russia at the expense of U.S. energy resources.
Don’t Miss This: Today, the WSJ editorial board called the Left’s retreat on fossil fuels as “America’s Energy Gift to Dictators."
KEY: “Mr. Biden’s anti-carbon fusillade will have no effect on the climate as global demand for fossil fuels will continue to increase for decades no matter what the U.S. does. Meantime, Russia, China and Iran will take advantage of America’s astonishing fossil-fuel retreat."
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“Vladimir Putin is gloating that Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany will soon be finished, as Mr. Biden has refused to sanction Russian companies running the project. But he didn’t care about upsetting Canada when he killed the Keystone XL pipeline. Nor Alaskans when he suspended the ANWR leases. Mr. Biden wants to curtail North American energy development while he stands by as Russia uses its natural resources for strategic gain."
Read the full piece here.
