Rep. Bice—Energy is the foundation of a strong economy

 

In a column this week, Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice lamented how the U.S. has become more dependent on foreign countries for energy resources.

Seeking a third term in the U.S. House, Rep. Bice (R)  put much of the blame on the Biden administration and its miscues in energy policies.

Below is her entire column:

Energy is a key foundation of a strong economy. Energy prices affect everything: from the price of harvesting goods, transporting goods to stores, powering our homes and businesses, and numerous other essential services. Over the last few years, we have become increasingly dependent on foreign adversaries for energy resources, compromising our safety, straining our economy, and impacting the wallets of every American citizen. As the world continues to grow more unstable, we have seen the consequences of these actions. The best solution is the easiest- to rely on sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy. This starts in states like Oklahoma.

 

Over the last few years, gas prices have soared, affecting all sectors of the economy. Due to extreme regulations of the Biden-Harris Administration, our nation has suffered. In 2022, President Biden and Vice President Harris canceled the sales of three major offshore oil leases and halted the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, leading the U.S. to miss out on $3.4 billion of economic activity. We would have benefited significantly from the 830,000 barrels of oil being delivered daily, and an estimated 70% of petroleum products from this pipeline would have remained in America. Furthermore, just this year, the Administration paused issuing permits for the construction of new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities, stifling our domestic industry and its growth potential. When economic growth is suppressed, costs inevitably rise, and this restriction in supply directly correlates with increased prices for consumers, exemplified by gas prices reaching a record high of $5 per gallon nationwide.

 

House Republicans have fought back against this Administration’s suffocating regulations from the very beginning. The Lower Energy Costs Act, H.R. 1, was the first bill introduced in the 118th Congress. This legislation aims to increase domestic energy production, reform the permitting process, reverse the Administration’s anti-American energy policies, and streamline the industry’s infrastructure. By unleashing American energy, we can alleviate the financial burden on families across the country. The simple fact is that American energy is cleaner, more reliable, more affordable, and more sustainable than any other source in the world.

 

True independence requires not just the absence of foreign control but also a commitment to fostering the domestic economy. It is crucial that we continue to prioritize policies which will support American energy independence and economic growth. I remain committed to solutions which will ultimately lower the costs of goods and services across the board. We must secure our energy independence and utilize the abundant resources underneath our feet.