Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement in response to Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine.
“I join in strongly condemning Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unlawful invasion of Ukraine. We must unite around our shared values of liberty and democracy in the face of his blatant power grab against the people of Ukraine and their nation’s sovereignty. Freedom must prevail.
“Energy security is national security. It’s now clearer than ever what is at stake when anti-American energy policies make us and Europe more dependent on Russian oil and natural gas. President Putin and Russia’s economy are dependent upon dominating energy production and exporting to other nations. He gains power by doing so, and it’s what funds his military and aggressive behavior.
“I continue to urge President Biden to restore America’s energy dominance. It’s our most powerful weapon against Putin. We should be leading as the world’s dominant energy producer and promoting technologies that provide for the deployment of more clean, affordable, and reliable energy. Our allies must not be beholden to aggressors like Putin who use vital resources as a weapon against the West. Now is the time for President Biden to flip the switch, say yes to American energy, and aggressively promote America’s energy jobs, production, and exports."
NOTE: On Tuesday, Leader Rodgers also urged President Biden to work with House Republicans on Energy and Commerce to unleash American energy and counter Putin. She said :
“If the President is serious about countering Russia and being tough on Putin, he would work with us to ensure America leads as the world’s number one energy producer. I will soon be introducing legislation called the American Energy Independence from Russia Act that would require the President to make an energy security plan that encourages America’s oil production to offset Russian imports. House Republicans on Energy and Commerce are ready to pass solutions that unleash energy production across the board including for oil and natural gas."
