Branded Blog

Democrats' Disingenuous Disconnect
By Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04)

Last week, Democrats yet again dragged leaders of our nation’s oil and gas companies in front of committee proceedings to pass the blame for high gas prices onto these domestic producers. Meanwhile, President Biden blames Vladimir Putin – using the disingenuous “Putin’s Price Hike” motto – for skyrocketing prices. So, the question for the President and for Democrats: Which is it, Putin or American energy producers?
 
It is clear the President and Democrats in Congress have a disconnect when it comes to coordinating their blame game.
 
Where they are not disconnected is their concerted anti-American energy policy push. President Biden has been in office for nearly a year and a half, but his efforts to destroy the domestic energy sector goes back to his presidential campaign. Take it from his own words:
 
“No more drilling on federal lands. No more drilling including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill period. It ends."
 
“I want you to look at my eyes. I guarantee you. I guarantee you. We’re going to end fossil fuel.”
 
On fracking: “We would make sure it’s eliminated.”
 
The President set the tone for his term on day one by restricting our domestic energy infrastructure development and by thwarting new oil and gas production. He canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline and banned new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, all while greenlighting the Russian Nord Stream 2 Pipeline.

As oil and gas prices have climbed this past year, President Biden and his Administration have done everything in their power to ensure we keep our domestic resources in the ground. They continue to attack American energy producers by refusing to approve new liquified natural gas export facilities, releasing a budget that increases fees on domestic oil and gas producers, and slow-walking the development of the congressionally-mandated offshore leasing program. This anti-all-of-the-above energy agenda disincentivizes capital investment in energy production and diminishes any hopes for regaining American energy independence.

And these outright anti-energy policies have come from every corner of the executive branch – from the White House directly to the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Transportation, to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 
The fact of the matter is, much of the blame for high energy prices is attributed to President Biden – and he and his allies in Congress are now desperately attempting to blame anyone but him.

The President and the Democratic majority in Congress have made it clear that their policies are driven by purported “climate action” – not strategic energy policy. Their policies, rules, regulations, and rhetoric have weakened our energy security and driven energy prices higher and higher.

On top of the President’s actions, rather than supporting U.S. energy development, Democrats in Congress continue to bully oil and gas executives while the Administration calls on foreign hostile regimes to increase their oil production. Just last week, American oil and natural gas CEO’s explicitly told Congress – and by extension, the Administration – what they need to produce more resources to drive down skyrocketing costs for families and businesses: streamlined permit approvals, capital investments, and a supportive regulatory environment.

It’s time President Biden listens to the energy experts and recognize the opportunity our country has before us. To supply affordable and reliable energy to the entire country and the world, we must allow our domestic producers to do what they do best without the threat or hinderance of government regulation.

Dan Newhouse represents Washington's 4th Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.