Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following remarks in today’s Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s price hike and America’s pain at the pump.
Excerpts and highlights from her prepared remarks:
A DELIBERATE DISTRACTION
“I want to be very clear with the American people: this hearing is a deliberate distraction.
“We are not convened to address the pain you’ve been feeling at the pump for more than a year.
“If that were the case, Energy Secretary Granholm would be here to discuss how we can work together to flip the switch on American energy to drive down high gas prices.
“Today is purely political. President Biden needs cover for his war on American energy that has caused gas prices to skyrocket.
“First, the administration tried blaming Putin – they called it the ‘Putin Price Hike.’
“But, anyone who has been filling up their tank since last January knows this is not true.
“The average gas price when President Biden took office was $2.38 and it climbed over a dollar a gallon more well before the invasion.
“The American people are too smart and have not fallen for this.
“So, the blame is shifting to the industry.
“This isn’t a new tactic.
“Just last year, the E&C Democrats held another ‘price gouging’ hearing to place blame the for the increased prices Americans are facing across the board on ‘corporate greed,’ another deliberate attempt to deflect from the negative effect of Biden administration policies and their own out of control spending.”
REALITY
“The American people didn’t buy it then, and they aren’t buying this now.
“President Biden and Democrats should acknowledge reality.
“This is not the Putin Price Hike or the result of companies suddenly deciding to make money in the year 2022.
“This is the Biden Price Hike. And it’s been on a steady climb since he took office.
“Energy is foundational. When energy prices go up, so does everything else and every part of our lives.
“Thanks to Biden’s skyrocketing energy prices. Americans are suffering across the board for everyday expenses.”
BIDEN’S PRICE HIKE
“Why isn’t this administration reversing course?
“High gas prices are a feature of this administration’s policies, not a bug.
“President Biden seems to want high gas prices, for Americans to feel pain every time they fill up their tank.
“Why? Because they want to usher in a green revolution.
“If you are wondering what life will be like with the Green New Deal, you’re getting a small taste of it now.
“100% green is not realistic or something people can afford.
“Oil and gas are going to be needed for decades to come.
“Yet, instead of accepting this reality, they continue to shut American energy down.
“Sadly, this should not come as a surprise.
“In March 2020, Candidate Joe Biden said quote ‘No more subsidies for fossil fuel industry. No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period.’
“President Biden put in place a moratorium on new drilling.
“In May 2020, Candidate Joe Biden pledged to stop the Keystone XL pipeline.
“President Biden did so on Day 1.
“And there are countless other examples of this administration’s war on American energy.”
NATIONAL SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICAL LEADERSHIP
“This radical agenda is hurting our national security.
“Not only will the Democrats’ rush-to-green agenda force America to be reliant on China, it also weakens our geopolitical leadership.
“We must return to the pre-Biden days of energy independence. We must lead the world in energy production to help our allies and counter our adversaries.
“Instead of ramping up production here, President Biden has:
- “Begged OPEC and Russia to drill more oil,
- “Considered lifting sanction on the brutal Maduro regime,
- “Wants to reinstate the Iran nuclear deal,
- “Told suffering Americans to buy an electric vehicle, and
- “Depleted our Strategic Petroleum Reserves.”
“Republicans are focused on solutions to drive down gas prices.
“I am co-leading the American Energy Independence from Russia Act – to flip the switch on American energy and unleash production.
“The legislation would remove all barriers to U.S. LNG exports; and unlock America’s energy potential by requiring leasing and permitting of energy and minerals development on Federal lands and waters.
“It also would immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline; and force the DOE Secretary to have a plan to increase domestic production before allowing any more non-emergency SPR withdrawals.
“We also must build energy infrastructure in America, like pipelines and LNG export facilities.
“And we need to focus on domestic mining and critical minerals production.
“That’s how we secure our energy future, guard against foreign dictators, and bring prosperity and optimism again to America.
“The Biden administration must reverse his anti-American energy agenda that has caused gas prices to skyrocket and made us less secure.
“Americans need relief and we stand ready to deliver on their behalf.”
Original source can be found here.
