House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement on President Biden’s decision to exempt tariffs for solar panels from certain Asian countries, along with the administration’s announced use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) to push its rush-to-green agenda, all of which will make the United States even more dependent upon Chinese supply chains.
“President Biden is undermining the ongoing investigation by the Department of Commerce into allegations that Chinese solar companies are circumventing lawfully imposed trade penalties on Chinese solar panels. The Biden administration’s announcement amounts to a two-year amnesty for the Chinese Communist Party for any violations of our trade laws relating to solar panel imports. This action will help China, and harm American solar panel manufacturers and American workers.
“The Biden Administration’s expansive use of emergency authorities under the DPA is less about strengthening national security and more about subsidizing an anti-American energy resource agenda, that will undermine the affordable, reliable energy we need for a secure future.
“America needs to flip the switch on American energy and secure our energy resources. Rather than emboldening China and shutting down American resources, President Biden should be prioritizing America’s vast energy and critical mineral resources to lower prices and secure our supply chains.”
NOTE: Leader Rodgers released a statement last month criticizing the Biden administration for ending a permit for a critical mineral mine in Minnesota.
Leader Rodgers also released a statement on March 31, 2022, following President Biden’s announcement that he would use to DPA to ramp up the domestic production of critical minerals.
Leader Rodgers and House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, which House Democrats have now blocked six times. This bill would immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline, unleash U.S. LNG exports to boost natural gas production, restart oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, and protect energy and mineral development from attacks by the Biden administration.
Original source can be found here.
