Dems Block Bill That Would Boost Us Energy Production

In an effort to promote domestic energy production amid the Russia-Ukraine war, House Democrats opposed a motion to review a Republican bill that would, among other things, reauthorize construction of the TransCanada Keystone pipeline and revive the federal oil leasing program.

On Feb. 28, Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Natural Resources Committee ranking member Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) proposed the American Energy Independence from Russia Act in the House. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced the bicameral bill in the Senate on March 3.

It comes at a time when gas prices in the United States are increasing as a result of private-sector boycotts and a government-sanctioned ban on Russian oil imports in retaliation to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The global energy supply disruption has highlighted the West’s reliance on Russian energy sources, reigniting calls for more American energy independence.

It comes at a time when gas prices in the United States are increasing as a result of private-sector boycotts and a public-sector embargo on Russian oil imports in retaliation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result of the global energy supply disruption, the West’s reliance on Russian energy sources has been exposed, prompting renewed calls to strengthen American energy independence.

Republicans have argued for years that energy independence is essential for national security, and the present dispute with Russia has surely bolstered that position.

The bill would reauthorize the Keystone pipeline from Canada to Montana, as well as resume oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, all of which were halted by the Biden administration last year.

It would also force the Biden administration to submit to Congress within 30 days an energy security plan that would increase American oil and natural gas output to offset Russian imports.

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