Senator James Lankford (R-OK) issued the following statement after the White House urged OPEC+ to ramp up crude production to counter the spike in oil prices:
“A year ago, when the national average for gas prices was lower, and our government sent a strong signal to American producers that we wanted them to maintain our own energy independence, America relied only on our producers and American jobs for oil. Today, gas prices continue to rise, and President Biden has asked Russia and OPEC to increase their production. Why is the President of the United States reaching out to the President of Russia and the leadership of OPEC to ask for more oil production? Americans are absolutely capable of producing the oil needed to lower the cost at the pump. The President should return to energy-focused policies that promote American jobs, instead of relying on foreign jobs and foreign production for our energy.”
Lankford is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.