Newhouse Introduces Legislation to Bolster American Energy Independence and Block Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) cosponsored the American Energy Independence from Russia Act which House Democrats blocked from consideration on the House floor this afternoon. This legislation would reverse President Biden’s dangerous energy policies which are currently bankrolling Putin’s attack on Ukraine.

“President Biden’s policies have hamstrung our own domestic supply of energy which has forced us to be reliant on Russia for our energy needs, even as it funds their attacks on Ukraine,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Currently, the United States sends $75 million dollars a day to Russia in exchange for crude oil. Every single one of those dollars is stained with Ukrainian blood. I call on the President to stop purchasing Russian oil, support domestic energy production and ensure that global peace and American national security are never again threatened by short-sighted kneecapping of our once-world-class energy sector.”

Click here to view the full text of the American Energy Independence from Russia Act.

Background:

The American Energy Independence from Russia Act will strengthen U.S. energy security and counter Russia by:

• Requiring President Biden to submit an energy security plan to Congress within 30 days to evaluate U.S. oil and natural gas imports, identify importing countries that pose an energy security risk to America, and encourage domestic production of oil and natural gas to offset imports from Russia;
• Immediately approving the Keystone XL pipeline to create thousands of American jobs and deliver an additional 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil to U.S. refineries;
• Unleashing U.S. LNG exports to boost U.S. natural gas production and displace Russian gas in the European market;
• Requiring the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on Federal lands to replace oil drawn down from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve;
• Unlocking America’s energy potential by requiring leasing and permitting of energy and minerals development on Federal lands and waters; and,
• Protecting domestic oil and gas, mining, and critical minerals production from further attacks by the Biden administration.

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