Today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR), and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO), in introducing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to tackle the energy crisis caused by President Biden’s disastrous policies. The bill will be considered on the House Floor in the last week of March.
The Lower Energy Costs Act restores American energy independence by:
- Increasing domestic energy production
- Reforming the permitting process for all industries
- Reversing anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration
- Streamlining energy infrastructure and exports
- Boosting the production and processing of critical minerals
“For the last two years, President Biden and his extremist friends in Washington have waged a war on American energy, and hard-working families across the country are paying the price. Gas and utility costs have skyrocketed to record highs, with the average American paying over 40 percent more for gas at the pump since President Biden took office. Voters gave Republicans the majority in Congress to stop this radical anti-American energy agenda, and to take action that will lower prices, and House Republicans listened. I am proud to introduce today H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to cut red tape and increase energy production here at home so we can lower energy costs and stop our dependence on hostile foreign countries for our energy and minerals. With today’s introduction of the Lower Energy Costs Act, we will show the country how to end the war on American energy, become energy independent again, and lower costs for hard-working families who are struggling under the weight of President Biden’s radical agenda,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise. “I want to thank Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Bruce Westerman, and Sam Graves for joining me in bringing the Lower Energy Costs Act to the House Floor, and I look forward to its passage.”
"Last Congress, House Republicans established our Energy, Climate, and Conservation Task Force to develop energy policies that meet the real needs of our constituents and our country. H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act, is a culmination of that promise. This bill counters President Biden’s attack on our domestic energy, and includes permitting reforms that will speed construction for major infrastructure projects across the country. I commend Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Bruce Westerman, and Sam Graves, as well as every member who spent the past 18 months dedicated to lowering energy costs for American consumers. Because of those efforts, we now have a bill that will grow our economy, strengthen our national security, and ensure clean, affordable, American energy can power the world,” said Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
"Energy security is national security. Republicans are delivering on our promises to the American people by unleashing the full power of our energy and minerals, cutting permitting delays, creating jobs, growing our economy, and dealing a blow to China and Russia. At long last, H.R. 1 will give Americans the tools to tap into our resources and build stronger, more resilient communities than ever before. When families no longer have to worry about how they'll afford to fill up their gas tanks or turn on a light switch, they have the necessary breathing room to invest in our economy. I believe our best years as a country are still ahead, but we won't get there by taking a backseat and outsourcing an ever-growing demand for natural resources to our foreign adversaries. We are taking back control, putting America first and unlocking access to the cleanest, safest energy production the world has ever seen," said House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman.
“Addressing America’s ongoing energy crisis is one of the most important actions this Congress can take. The last thing we need is to be dependent on foreign energy, especially when we can produce and distribute energy here in the United States and maintain our environmental standards at the same time. This legislation will prevent federal water regulations from being hijacked and weaponized to block important energy projects, and I’m proud to have the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s work included as part of H.R. 1’s commonsense and comprehensive approach to solidifying our energy independence,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves.
Click here for an overview of the bill.
Click here for a section-by-section summary of the bill.
Click here for a summary of the Energy and Commerce Committee components of the bill.
Click here for a summary of the Natural Resources Committee components of the bill.
Click here for a summary of the Transportation and Infrastructure components of the bill.
Original source can be found here.
