Republican members of a U.S. House caucus the House Energy Action Team or HEAT came out with a strong condemnation of President Biden’s latest move to target the oil and gas industry…the freezing of oil and gas leases for 60 days on federal lands and water.
HEAT caucus members include Oklahoma Reps. Markwayne Mullin and Kevin Hern.
Mullin, a co-chair of the caucus admitted he wasn’t surprised because Biden has talked openly of planning to destroy the oil and gas industry.
“This move only makes us more dependent on foreign oil and increases prices for American families, not to mention eliminates good-paying jobs in the middle of a pandemic. I strongly oppose this decision and I urge the Biden Administration to reconsider,” said the congressman.
Tulsa congressman Kevin Hern criticized the President for preaching unity to the nation and starting his presidency by taking aim at the energy sector.
“He is deliberately dismantling our domestic oil production to the detriment of millions of Americans who work in our energy sector. 2020 was the first year in memory that we were net exporters of crude oil, thanks to the aggressive goals of the Trump Administration. Now, Biden aims to destroy the progress we made over the last four years and ensure that America will never be energy-independent,” said Rep. Hern.
He added that based on the energy decisions made by Biden in the first 24 hours of his presidency, he fears it indicates “a hostile future for the American energy sector.”
Other members of congress from nearby oil and gas producing states made similar condemning statements.
Rep. Dan. Crenshaw (R-Texas) said, “An all out assault on American energy independence appears to be the top priority of the Biden Administration.”
Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman, who is also the ranking member of the House Committee on Natural Resources Committee said locking up and throwing away the key to 640 million acres of federal land would be a huge mistake.
“Prohibiting all federal land leasing would eliminate countless jobs and public services supported by federal energy development in rural communities.”
Kansas congressman Ron Estes pointed out that for the first time in 70 years, the U.S. was a net energy exporter lessening dependence on foreign sources of energy.
“The reckless decision to pull back on our energy independence will negatively affect families and kill jobs during a pandemic.”
Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a member of congress from oil-rich North Dakota fears the loss of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars that helped fund schools, hospitals, roads and conservation.
“This misguided effort will crush a critical segment of our country’s economy, increase reliance on foreign energy, and weaken our national security.”
Others were equally as critical of Biden for focusing on destroying oil and gas rather than doing more to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are few more examples of what was said by the HEAT members.
“Biden is wasting no time on his commitment to destroy the oil and gas industry.”
“This unilateral move is one of several dangerous actions taken in the first 24 hours of the Biden Administration that increases our dependence on foreign oil and harms American sovereignty.”
“By placing a moratorium on energy projects on federal land, President Biden has surrendered to his party’s environmental extremists at the cost of good-paying jobs.”
“This decision, like other parts of the Biden administration’s radical climate agenda, is a direct assault on American livelihoods.
“Is this just the start of an anti-energy agenda that will kill more jobs, increase the cost of living, and limit opportunities for the American people? Unfortunately, probably yes. It is, after all, what President Joe Biden promised to do.”
Source: Rep. Mullin press release