Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1640. The Save Our Gas Stoves Act is a bipartisan bill that was introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee member Debbie Lesko, and it will stop the Department of Energy from finalizing its plans to ban the majority of natural gas-fueled cooking stoves on the market today.

H.R. 1640 was considered through regular order in committee, where it received hearings and markups and was favorably reported with a strong bipartisan vote.

Congress must intervene to stop the war that President Biden and Democrats are waging on reliable, affordable energy and the choices people make to provide for their families.

On day one in office, President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, imposed a moratorium on fossil energy development on Federal lands, and directed agencies across the Federal Government to issue punitive regulations and delay permits for energy projects. This agenda is raising costs across the board and making life more difficult for hardworking Americans across this country.

Now the Biden administration is coming for their appliances, like natural gas stoves. H.R. 1640 will stop the Department of Energy from finalizing the terribly misguided and legally vulnerable proposal to ban gas stoves.

H.R. 1640 is necessary because the administration doesn't have any regard for the will of the American people, or the laws passed by Congress.

Despite a statement from the White House that ``the President does not support banning gas stoves,'' the Department of Energy and radical environmental activists are abusing an obscure law called the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to mandate a backdoor regulatory ban on gas stoves.

They are pursuing this agenda to control the home appliance market despite DOE's own evidence that its proposed standard would pull more than half the gas stoves off the market and save people $1.08 over the life of the product.

This is completely out of touch. One dollar of savings over the life of the product is not worth the up-front expense of ripping out gas lines and installing new electrical service. One dollar of savings does not bring peace of

mind if you need to heat your water or feed your family during an electricity blackout. One dollar of savings means nothing when people are paying record prices to buy food and fill up their gas tanks.

The American people are strongly opposed to regulations to ban natural gas appliances. In fact, we recently polled the citizens in my district as to whether they support a ban on natural gas stoves in their homes. An overwhelming 87 percent of them responded ``no.'' H.R. 1640 addresses their concerns and their freedom to choose an affordable stove that is right for them.

Therefore, Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1640 and look forward to working with the Senate to send this bipartisan bill to the President's desk.

Madam Chair, to save lives and make our community safer, I rise in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

Illicit fentanyl is one of the greatest threats that we face as a nation. Illicit drug manufacturers are diverting precursor chemicals from some of China's 160,000 chemical plants and shipping them to Mexico, where cartels are producing mass quantities of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. These are being smuggled across our southern border and killing more people than ever.

According to an analysis by The Washington Post, fentanyl poisoning is the number one cause of death for people 18 to 49.

I think about my friend Molly Cain from Spokane, who lost her son Carson, and Deb and Ray Cullen from Pennsylvania, who lost their son Zach. Both Carson and Zach were killed instantly by substances laced with illicit fentanyl.

Molly asked me how many more letters from grieving parents is it going to take for action.

The fact is it shouldn't take another letter, another day. It shouldn't take another lost loved one.

The HALT Fentanyl Act will save lives.

We must make sure that law enforcement has the permanent tools that they need to seize these extremely lethal poisons. It is DEA's number one priority. Without these tools, drug traffickers being sourced from China will be emboldened to push deadlier and deadlier drugs across the border. We can't let that happen.

Let's come together today for a more secure future for every community in America.

Madam Chair, I urge support of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S.J. Res. 11. This resolution reverses EPA's extreme emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks. President Biden is shamelessly pushing electrification of the entire transportation sector without regard for the significant environmental, economic, and national security risks it will cause.

We should not allow the Biden administration to continue implementing this plan without additional congressional guidance.

Heavy-duty trucks are essential to the transport of agricultural products and consumer goods to people across the country. In short, the availability of trucking is directly tied to our standard of living, food security, and ability to afford everyday life.

EPA's heavy-duty trucks rule applies to trucks of all sizes from the Ford F-250 to semitrucks. EPA's own estimates say it could cost more than $8,000 per semitruck to meet their standards.

The cost will be passed directly to Americans, many who live paycheck to paycheck. Imagine someone who is already being forced to make tough choices for their family at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the pharmacy. Virtually every product they are buying--as well as the ones they can no longer afford--is transported by a truck at some point.

With the EPA's rule, they will be paying and sacrificing even more for food, clothing, fixing their homes, and trying to provide for their families.

EPA's regulatory effort on heavy-duty trucks would impose extensive and expensive regulations; increase costs for trucking companies, many of which are small businesses; and ultimately fail to significantly reduce emissions.

The American people cannot afford the financial burdens. It is our responsibility as Members of Congress, the elected Representatives of the people, to address Agency overreach, especially when it would directly and negatively impact the lives of Americans and drive inflation higher.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Fischer and Representative Nehls for leading on the Senate and the House resolutions on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S.J. Res. 11.

Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows:

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington: Committee on Energy and

Commerce. H.R. 498. A bill to amend title V of the Public

Health Service Act to secure the suicide prevention lifeline

from cybersecurity incidents, and for other purposes; with an

amendment (Rept. 118-52). Referred to the Committee on the

Whole House on the state of the Union.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington: Committee on Energy and

Commerce. H.R. 801. A bill to amend title III of the Public

Health Service Act to provide for suspension of entries and

imports from designated countries to prevent the spread of

communicable diseases and import into the United States of

certain controlled substances (Rept. 118-53). Referred to the

Committee on the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Mr. Speaker, my heart is heavy as I rise today to honor

the life of my dear friend, Rich Hadley, who passed away on March 19, 2023. My prayers are with Rich's wife Rita, his family, and all who loved him as we mourn his passing.

Rich was a trusted friend and pillar of our community. For 21 years, he led Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI), the Inland Northwest's largest chamber of commerce. During his tenure, Rich demonstrated an unwavering commitment to growing jobs and business opportunities, not only in Spokane, but all across Eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest region.

His leadership at GSI was defined by a passion to make Spokane a better place, and he succeeded, leaving behind a legacy that will carry on for years to come. Rich's visionary leadership helped champion Spokane's University District and Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

As a former U.S. Navy air intelligence officer during the Vietnam War, Rich cared deeply for our men and women in uniform and our nation's veterans. He worked tirelessly to forge a strong relationship between the business community and officials at Fairchild Air Force Base, and he played a critical role in making Fairchild the integral part of Spokane's community it is today.

Mr. Speaker, Rich Hadley was a man of integrity and high principle. His humility and his impact on Eastern Washington and his country will long be remembered. Above all, he lived an amazing life that deserves to be celebrated. In honor of his legacy, passion, and contributions that inspired so many, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rich Hadley. May God grant him eternal peace in His kingdom.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act.

My goal as the chair of Energy and Commerce Committee is to make sure Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy. This was a key promise in the House Republicans' ``Commitment to America,'' and we are hitting the ground running to deliver on that promise. This is just the beginning.

Energy is foundational to everything. For centuries it has driven human progress and development. It is why America has done more to lift people out of poverty and raise the standard of living than anywhere else in the world.

Today, over 3.7 billion people are living in energy poverty. That is half the world. They have a 10-year lower life expectancy, 35 percent fewer years of education, and many don't have electricity at all.

Here in the United States of America, we are blessed with the ability and the resources to continue to raise the standard of living globally and even lift people out of poverty.

Our goal today is to celebrate how our abundant energy resources have unleashed prosperity and invited people from around the world to come across the globe to America to achieve their hopes and dreams.

We have accomplished this as a leader in reducing emissions and with the highest environmental and labor standards in the world. We cannot afford to move backward with a reckless command-and-control so-called climate agenda that forces people to pay more and go without reliable electricity.

H.R. 1 prioritizes the American people over this radical climate agenda.

On his first day in office, President Biden started a war on American energy. Predictably, gas prices skyrocketed to the highest levels in American history. President Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, imposed a moratorium on oil production on Federal lands, and directed agencies across the Federal Government to impose punitive and burdensome regulations.

As the American people suffered, President Biden turned to OPEC and Russia to boost supplies. In the face of Russia's aggression, President Biden looked the other way and green-lit the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, emboldening Russia to attack Ukraine. The CCP now is deepening ties with Russia and consolidating its control over more than 90 percent of the world's critical mineral supplies.

To win the future, we cannot allow our energy security to be surrendered to our adversaries. H.R. 1 sends the strong and unmistakable signal to restore American energy dominance and bolster our national security. H.R. 1 will unleash American energy, lower costs, and secure our supply chains. This package helps lift barriers to expanding our energy supplies, remove red tape for exporting and importing LNG, and build more pipelines with our North American allies and across the States.

It would repeal President Biden's burdensome natural gas tax, which will harm communities, shut down production, and raise prices across the entire economy.

H.R. 1 will encourage innovation and production of critical materials here at home to cut China out of our energy supply chains and ensure America is leading the world in innovation and next-generation energy technologies.

We have heard a lot of talk, and Democrats are forcing a so-called transition that requires the American people to suffer through supply chains and price hikes. What Republicans are offering through H.R. 1 is a commitment to energy expansion that will deliver on lower costs and reliable and affordable energy.

The fact is, higher costs are making life unaffordable for hardworking people in this country while forcing us to be dangerously reliant on Chinese supply chains that are dirtier and use slave labor.

I think about the farmer who told us that this so-called climate agenda is raising the cost of food and making it harder for farmers to feed our families; an advocate who shared with our committee that record-high energy costs hurt low-income and minority families the most; and the mayor of Midland who told us her community is thriving because of the investment in jobs the oil and gas industry brings.

We must embrace and expand America's position as the number one energy producer in the world while continuing our leadership to reduce emissions.

People all over this Nation are counting on us for a better quality of life. With H.R. 1, we will boost energy production, lift regulatory burdens for the construction of more energy infrastructure, cut China out of our critical material supply chains, and lower costs across the board. This is how we build a more secure future for Americans.

Mr. Chair, I urge support of H.R. 1, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), a

leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), who is a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman from Alabama.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), who is a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw), who is a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Madam Chair, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security.

Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the RELIEVE Act. I introduced this bill after a veteran from Spokane reached out for my help. She had recently retired from service and was days away from her first VA appointment when she had a heart attack.

She was rushed to the ER, where she made a full recovery, but the VA refused to pay for her care.

Why? Because she hadn't seen a VA doctor in the last 24 months.

It didn't matter that she had just enrolled or that many VA facilities have 30- to 60-day delays. They denied her the coverage she needed, and her bills were piling up.

The RELIEVE Act would make this right. It waives the 24-month rule for 60 days, giving veterans time to establish care and ensure that they qualify for outside emergency coverage.

I am grateful to the leadership of the committee, as well as my colleagues, Jack Bergman and Chris Pappas, for helping lead this bill to help eliminate the emergency coverage gap. I urge my colleagues to join in giving veterans the treatment that they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1108, legislation I introduced with Ranking Member Frank Pallone to extend the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority.

For the last year, I have worked with Energy and Commerce Committee leaders and the Senate to develop sound spectrum policy that promotes economic growth and promotes our national security. In order for the U.S. to maintain its global competitive edge, we must get spectrum policy right and not cede our leadership to adversaries like China.

Without congressional action, the FCC's authority to issue spectrum licenses expires on March 9. This bill will also ensure the FCC has the authority it needs to continue issuing licenses for a spectrum band that will be

used to provide better coverage and wireless speeds across the United States.

This short-term extension will also give us enough time to work out a broader deal on spectrum policy to ensure the United States continues to lead the world in 5G and technological innovation and beats China.

I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate on a long-term spectrum auction extension, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's leadership on the Subcommittee on Health, as well as bringing forward this legislation today. I think it is very important legislation, H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act.

Just to recap, 3 years ago today, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency for the emerging threat that was the novel coronavirus. The U.S. had just identified its first official case over a week prior.

Within 1 year of the anniversary of the public health emergency, thanks to the early leadership of President Trump and Operation Warp Speed, an authorized vaccine helped prevent thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.

Mr. Speaker, 3 years later, it is estimated that 95 percent of those over 16 have been vaccinated or have had COVID-19.

Earlier in January, President Biden extended the public health emergency for the twelfth time, continuing to use the pandemic and the national and public health emergency authorities to achieve progressive policy goals. This includes pushing for an indefinite extension on the moratorium on evictions, the suspension of student loan interest payments, and attempts to require masking in public transit.

Last week, House Republicans announced that we would bring this bill, along with Representative Paul Gosar's bill, to end the COVID-19 national emergency to the floor today. Just yesterday, the Biden administration decided to announce their plans to end the public health emergency on May 11, 2023, which CNN has reported only came after the House Democrats were worried about voting against this bill without the White House having a plan in place.

Whatever the reason or the rationale for their announcement, I am pleased that the administration is following the House Republicans and finally abiding by President Biden's own acknowledgment 4 months ago that the pandemic is over, but it shouldn't take another 3 months to unwind this authoritarian control.

It is long past time for the Biden administration to stop relying on an emergency that no longer exists so that they can make unilateral decisions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Democratic colleagues to join the Democratic administration and House Republicans in voting ``yes'' on H.R. 382. Declare the COVID-19 pandemic over. Give Americans their lives back. Work to develop policies so that we are better prepared moving forward.

The Senate voted in a bipartisan way to end the national emergency, and I hope that this bill also will gain bipartisan support.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of Dr. Bucshon and thank him for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. Representative Duncan's bill, H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, and I join in offering my heartfelt condolences to the gentleman from California, Representative Garcia, who lost his mom

early on in this pandemic, early on in 2020.

I also want to note that in November of 2021, long after the date it became available, the vaccines did not prevent the transmission of

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 21, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering, and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 21.

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act.

Two weeks ago, this body sent a strong message that we must ensure our Nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve will not advance the energy interests of China over the energy security interests of Americans.

This bill today will help ensure this vital American energy asset and American security interests will not be drained away for nonemergency, political purposes. This bill is about restoring America's energy security. It provides a path towards making energy more affordable for Americans who are looking to us to help ease the pain at the pump.

H.R. 21 does this by preserving the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for its vital and central purpose: to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies--emergencies like supply disruptions that threaten the Nation's economy, or the loss of oil production due to hurricanes and other disasters.

Put simply, under this bill, if an administration chooses to use the reserve for nonemergency political purposes, it will first have to develop a plan that an equal amount would be reinstated from American energy resources.

The SPR should be used as a tool of last resort. This is sensible energy policy. It is also urgent policy. At present, the SPR's ability to protect Americans has been put at risk. More than 250 million barrels of oil, approximately 40 percent of the reserve, has been drawn down in less than 2 years. This is more than all of the former Presidents in history combined. It is all to cover up historically high gas prices in an election year. This is irresponsible.

The Biden administration has undermined our Nation's ability to respond to true energy emergencies by mismanaging our Nation's strategic energy stockpile. At the same time, the administration has taken every action to suppress America's mighty energy production abilities. Unbelievably, the Biden administration has turned to Venezuela and Saudi Arabia to pump more oil instead of working to lift their regulatory restraints on American energy producers.

America's oil production and refining capacity remains 1 million barrels below peak levels during the prior administration. We have the world's most abundant resources and the capacity to produce millions more barrels per day.

America should never be at the mercy of OPEC or Russia. Energy security is economic security and it is national security. It is all connected. It is foundational to everything. We should be unleashing American energy on all fronts.

Don't forget, Mr. Chair, the United States has some of the highest environmental and labor standards in the world. We have been the leader in bringing down carbon emissions. We did this by embracing innovation and our abundant natural resources, not by shutting down entire industries.

Right now, America is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades, and gas prices are still surging upwards. Now, President Biden's and the Democrats' radical rush-to-green agenda has made life unaffordable for people across the country. It has driven up inflation, it has strained household budgets, and it has weakened our electric grid.

Gas prices have risen to the highest levels in history. Some have been forced to pay more than $6 a gallon. Gas prices are still 40 percent higher today, and diesel prices are up almost $2 a gallon more than when President Biden took office.

It is time to flip the switch. It is time to end the politically motivated abuse of the SPR and focus on American energy and American security. Let's send a strong signal this Congress that we stand for energy security, preserving the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, restoring America's energy dominance, and providing for the prosperity of all Americans.

Mr. Chair, I urge support of H.R. 21, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson), who is a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the vice chair of the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1\1/ 2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

When President Biden was inaugurated in January of 2021, gas prices were $2.33 a gallon. I doubt you can find that anywhere in America today. $2.33 a gallon. They have only gone up since then.

The war on Ukraine did not cause the energy crisis, it just exposed what was going on.

Refining and production is down a million barrels from when President Biden was elected. There has been the shutting down of American energy. It is time to unleash American energy.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chair, if you bought gas recently, you would be aware gas prices are up 40 cents just in the last couple of weeks. Our reserve is drained. We need to pass this bill.

Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, the administration may have temporarily artificially reduced gas prices. Up until election day, they were selling a million barrels per day out of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. They have now drained the reserve, leaving us vulnerable, and gas prices are on their way up again since Christmas, 40 cents just since Christmas.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), our majority leader.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan), the chairman of the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining?

Mr. Chair, I am pleased to yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Malliotakis).

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Mr. Chair, this is reasonable, commonsense legislation that will strengthen America's energy security, protect our national security, and preserve our strategic energy stockpile for true emergencies. It only addresses the nonemergency sales.

The Biden administration has sold off more than 250 million barrels, a million barrels per day up until the election, and more than 40 percent of our reserve. Put an end to this.

Mr. Chair, I urge support of H.R. 21, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendment that would maintain current law.

President Trump imposed a decade-long ban in offshore drilling off the coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Nothing in the underlying bill, H.R. 21, would change that.

To be clear, nothing in H.R. 21 affects any existing statutory or regulatory restrictions that may prohibit offshore oil and gas development. The purpose and scope of the bill is limited. It is to protect the SPR from politically motivated drawdowns and to ensure the American people are protected from true emergencies in energy supply disruptions. It would require the Department of Energy to develop a plan.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the underlying bill, H.R. 21.

Mr. Chair, I reserve a point of order against the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I do insist on the point of order. The amendment amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992. That statute is not amended by this bill.

Mr. Chair, I withdraw.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, this amendment excludes a tract of land in the North Atlantic from being included in the leasing plan. So virtually all offshore oil and gas leasing occurs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore oil and gas exploration accounts for roughly 15 percent of all domestic oil production and 2 percent of domestic natural gas production. By further limiting this potentially vast resource, we are not going to be able to keep up with demand as it increases.

H.R. 21 does not require the Department of Energy to drill in any specific area. We shouldn't take items off the table before a review has been done.

Moreover, our plan can be changed as new information comes along, while the mandate in this amendment is inflexible to fact, science, and the needs that may arise from national emergencies.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman from South Carolina informing us of what the current law states.

I just want to confirm that the bill has no effect on these current laws and regulations. It is a good amendment and I support it.

Mr. Chair, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. Chair, I withdraw my reservation of a point of order.

Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chair, this amendment really duplicates an amendment that we just passed, if you think about the amendment that was offered by Congressman Matt Gaetz. President Trump imposed a decade-long ban on oil drilling off the coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina; and nothing in this legislation--nothing in H.R. 21--will change that.

If my colleagues across the aisle are concerned about drilling off the coast of Florida, I would just note that. To be clear, nothing in H.R. 21 affects any existing statutory or regulatory restrictions that may prohibit offshore oil and gas development.

The purpose of the underlying bill is limited. It is to protect the SPR from politically motivated drawdowns and to ensure the American people are protected in times of true emergencies when the energy supply is disrupted.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve has enjoyed bipartisan support for years. This administration decided to draw it down unilaterally leading up to the election. It has been drawn down 40 percent.

The underlying bill would ensure that we can take the steps necessary through domestic energy production to refill SPR. The amendment that was introduced by my colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee is really unnecessary. It goes beyond the scope of H.R. 21.

Mr. Chair, I urge opposition, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

But in response to the ranking member, I just want to underscore that H.R. 21 is designed to stop the abuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for nonemergency political reasons such as President Biden's decision to drain the SPR in the days leading up to the election.

So the other side likes to say: Well, it was the war in Ukraine that caused the prices to go up.

The war in Ukraine just exposed the energy crisis that started on day one of the Biden administration.

Mr. Chair, on day one of the Biden administration, gas prices were $2.33 a gallon, and they have just continued to go up, jeopardizing reliability and affordability, as well as our national security.

My concern with the gentlewoman's amendment is that the SPR is one of America's most important energy security tools, and we cannot tie the hands of the President regardless of which party is in office when we have a real emergency like a hurricane, a terrorist attack, or something that disrupts our oil supply.

The underlying bill, H.R. 21, is focused on protecting SPR from President Biden's abuse of it.

H.R. 21 should be a bipartisan bill. It should be a bipartisan bill. Just a couple of weeks ago, we passed H.R. 22, Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve From China Act which gained the support of my Democrat colleagues--over 100 Democratic colleagues voting with us to ban exports of SPR to China.

Let's keep the momentum going. Let's send the Senate and the President a very strong, bipartisan bill.

Representative Greene is right that President Biden has abused our strategic stockpile, and he has failed to put forward a plan to increase domestic energy supply.

Let's pass the underlying bill and get back to work.

Mr. Chair, I urge ``no'' on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this bill is about protecting our strategic reserves and ensuring American energy production, which we do cleaner than any other nation in the world.

If we are serious about addressing global climate risk and preserving and expanding the prosperity of the American people, we should focus on American security and American energy.

This amendment is not necessary. I urge opposition. Vote ``no.''

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chair, this amendment is a savings clause. It states that nothing in H.R. 21 impacts existing legal restrictions on oil and gas leasing in the North Atlantic Planning Area. This will ensure that this bill is not interpreted to make changes there.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would require the Secretary of Energy to consult with the EPA Administrator and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the required leasing plan. I rise in opposition to the amendment because it expands the scope of EPA. EPA does not oversee Federal lands; the Department of the Interior does.

Further, this amendment is duplicative. H.R. 21 already requires the Secretary of Energy to consult with the Secretary of the Interior. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is in the Department of the Interior and falls under the Secretary's purview.

Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman bringing this amendment forward. It would simply require the plan to be submitted to Congress. It is a good amendment, and I urge our colleagues to support it.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

This amendment would further allow the President to abuse the SPR by draining it without declaring an emergency under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The statute is clear, and emergency triggers to use SPRs are well defined. The law requires the President to declare that a severe energy supply interruption exists. The statute defines a supply interruption as follows:

One, ``an emergency situation exists and there is a significant reduction in supply, which is of significant scope and duration'';

Two, ``a severe increase in the price of petroleum products has resulted from such emergency situation'';

Three, ``such price increase is likely to cause a major adverse impact on the national economy.''

SPR is a critical national security asset and should only have been utilized in accordance with the law. This amendment would create a new loophole to allow the President to continue raiding SPR for political purposes.

I urge a ``no'' on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentlewoman yielding.

I appreciate the gentlewoman offering this amendment that I believe will actually bring greater transparency and oversight to the plan for managing the balance of fuel stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for domestic emergencies, and I urge support.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 5, I call up the bill (H.R. 22) to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from sending petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the legislation and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 22.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 22, the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act.

America is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades. President Biden and the Democrats' radical rush to green agenda is making life unaffordable for people all across this country. It is driving record inflation, straining household budgets, and weakening our electric grid.

Under President Biden and the Democrats' control of Congress, gas prices rose to the highest levels in history. Some were forced to pay more than $6 per gallon. Gas prices are still 40 percent higher today. Diesel prices are up almost $2 a gallon more than when President Biden took office.

The Federal Government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers, especially when it makes us more dangerously dependent upon China for critical minerals, solar panels, and batteries to produce our own energy and electricity, and strengthens Russia and OPEC's grip on world oil and gas markets.

Now, to cover up his failed policies driving our energy and inflation crisis, President Biden drained our Nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve at an alarming rate. America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, once the world's largest stockpile, has been depleted to the lowest levels since 1983.

President Biden released an unprecedented 250 million barrels of oil in less than 2 years, more than all former Presidents combined. As we know, much of that oil went to China because our refineries and pipelines are full. It now has nowhere to go here.

In April, the Biden administration sold a million barrels directly to a state-owned Chinese company. Millions more barrels went to overseas traders, who eventually sent it to China.

We also know that China is ramping up its purchases of crude oil from Russia and the U.S. to boost its own reserves. China now controls the world's largest government-controlled stockpile of oil, with almost a billion barrels, at the expense of American taxpayers and our energy security.

America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve is meant for true energy supply disruptions, like those caused by hurricanes and natural disasters, not to help China. Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling portions of it to China is a significant threat to our national security.

The administration is not just hurting our own ability to respond to emergencies and national security events; they are actively bolstering the oil reserves of our most dangerous geopolitical adversary, the Chinese Communist Party. This is unacceptable, and it must stop.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and prohibit the sale and export of Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude oil to China.

H.R. 22 prevents the Secretary of Energy from selling any products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity owned by or under the control or influence of the CCP, or selling to any other entity that intends to export to China.

Enacting H.R. 22, preventing the Biden administration from wasting our strategic reserves, is the first step toward flipping the switch and unleashing American energy production.

America has led the world in reducing carbon emissions and promoting innovation by utilizing our abundant, clean, affordable, and reliable energy. We can restore this leadership without sacrificing our energy security or making everyday life unaffordable for people.

That starts by enacting smart, workable, all-of-the-above strategies that build on this legacy by lowering costs and emissions across the country. It includes making our infrastructure and electricity grid more resilient and unleashing innovation for cleaner natural gas, emissions-free hydropower and nuclear power, and carbon capture technologies.

Republicans support a level playing field with a balance of energy sources but without handing the keys of our energy future over to the Chinese Communist Party.

It is time to cut the red tape, expand energy production here at home, modernize our infrastructure, invest in new technologies, and create opportunities for jobs and economic development right here in the United States of America.

I look forward to passage of this bill today, and I am eager to get to work

with my colleagues on additional solutions to make energy cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), a leader on energy.

Mr. Speaker, we should be banning exports to Russia, North Korea, and Iran.

I would just note that President Biden has wanted to import from Russia and Iran.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Mr. Speaker, just to correct the record. The language is very clear, if you look at subsection two: Such petroleum products will not be exported to the People's Republic of China.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the House majority leader and also a longtime member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), a leader on energy issues and a new member of the committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), a new member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mills).

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Leadership matters. American leadership matters. You can't be a diplomatic power without being a military power. You can't be a military power without being an economic power. You cannot be an economic power without energy.

In order to reverse the damage to our energy security and our global leadership, we must flip the switch and unleash American energy production.

We need to stop the Biden administration from wasting our strategic reserves.

It is time to cut the red tape and expand energy production here at home, modernize our infrastructure, and create new opportunities for jobs and economic development.

The Democrats suggested if the bill included Iran, Russia, and North Korea that they would support it. The fact of the matter is those are the countries this administration has gone to.

They have gone to OPEC, Iran, and Russia and actually asked them to produce more oil.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the passage of this bill today, and I am eager--I am eager--to work with my colleagues on additional solutions to make energy more affordable, more reliable.

It is America that is leading in clean, reliable, renewable, affordable energy, and it is so important to energy dominance.

It is important to American leadership. It is important to our economy. It is important to every person in this country that has been living with record-high energy prices.

Every time they go to the gas station to fill up over the last couple of years, they have been experiencing record-high energy prices.

Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to lead. We want to unleash American energy, unleash clean American energy jobs. This is important to our national security. It is important to our economic security.

I urge everyone to vote ``yes.'' Pass H.R. 22. It is just the beginning. There is more to come.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlie Bourg.

Charlie lives in Chewelah, a small town in northeastern Washington. He is an Army veteran. He served in Vietnam, and he is a fierce advocate for his fellow men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.

Charlie also has terminal cancer. He received the devastating news months ago after a yearlong delay in receiving care from the Spokane VA due to a broken electronic health record system.

This could have been prevented. He should have more time to spend with his wife, Debi, his children, and his grandchildren. My heart breaks for them.

Charlie is here sharing his story this week, and I would like to make him a promise: No matter how long it takes, we will fix this system.

You will be the reason that it never happens again. You will not be forgotten. Matthew 28:11 says, ``Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in recognizing Charlie Bourg. He is an incredible American and an even better husband, father, and grandfather.