House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives voted on an import ban on Russian oil that fails simultaneously to increase American oil and gas energy and exports. This followed Democrats again blocking her legislation, the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, which would flip the switch on domestic energy production and lower energy prices here at home.
“America shouldn’t be reliant on a single barrel of oil from Russia. That’s why I support sanctions and banning Russian energy imports to shut down Vladimir Putin’s war chest. I’ve been very clear that any bill to ban imports that doesn’t flip the switch on American energy is incomplete. There’s more work to do. America must lead by boosting our energy production to replace Russian oil. It is vital to help our allies in Europe, protect our economy, lower gas prices, and stabilize global markets. As long as President Biden and Congressional Democrats ignore this important piece, they will continue to own the increased prices Americans will keep facing at the pump.
“Today, the People’s House should have also taken unified action on the American Energy Independence from Russia Act to send a clear message that President Biden has the ability to unleash American oil and natural gas. He shouldn’t be asking foreign murderous dictators and authoritarian regimes for more oil to bail us out. Unfortunately, Democrats again blocked this bill so they can continue to shift the blame onto Putin for how their radical anti-American energy agenda is raising gas prices on the American people.”
NOTE: For the second time, Democrats blocked the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, led by Rodgers and Natural Resource Committee Republican Leader Bruce Westerman (R-AR).
This bill would promote American energy independence because it:
- Immediately approves the Keystone XL pipeline
- Removes all restrictions on liquified natural gas (LNG) exports
- Restarts oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters – which was halted by the Biden administration
- Protects American energy and mineral development from attacks by the Biden administration
- Requires Biden to submit an energy security plan within 30 days and requires the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to replace oil drawn down from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
