Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act, which prevents further abuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by requiring any future non-emergency drawdowns to be accompanied by a plan from the Secretary of Energy to replace the drawdowns with an increase in domestic petroleum production. This legislation was led by Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Western Caucus Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05).

On day one of his administration, President Biden unilaterally decimated our domestic oil and gas production by cancelling the Keystone XL Pipeline and putting a moratorium on all oil and gas leasing, drilling permits, and lease extensions on federal land. Since then, the Biden Administration has drained the SPR with no concrete plan to refill it. This abuse of our strategic reserves has weakened our economic and national security for political purposes.

“Our nation’s oil stockpile—intended for real emergencies—is down 42% due to President Biden’s unabashed drawdowns,” said Chairman Newhouse (WA-04). “This bill will unleash the vast resources America has to ensure our nation’s security is protected. I congratulate Chairwoman Rodgers for successfully leading this bill through the House and I look forward to our continued work in the Western Caucus to restore America’s energy dominance.”

“Biden has turned a longtime bipartisan strategic asset, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, into a political tool to cover up the consequences of his expensive rush-to-green agenda. H.R. 21 provides a path towards making energy more affordable and reliable for Americans by preserving the SPR’s vital and central purpose — to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies, not drain them away for non-emergency, political purposes,” said Chairwoman Rodgers (WA-05). “I am honored to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important bill to strengthen American energy security and leadership.”

Read the full text of the Strategic Production Response Act here.