Western Caucus Members Support Lowering Energy Costs for Every American

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Western Caucus Members continued to urge their House colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, on the House floor. Despite House Democrats’ claims, the legislation is a comprehensive solution to address the Biden Administration’s failed, anti-American energy policies and would actually lower global emissions, reduce energy costs for American families, accelerate America’s clean energy future, and reduce our nation’s reliance on China.

“My goal as the chair of Energy and Commerce Committee is to make sure Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy. This was a key promise in the House Republicans Commitment to America, and we are hitting the ground running to deliver on that promise and this is just the beginning,” said Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05). “With H.R. 1, we'll boost energy production, lift regulatory burdens for the construction of more energy infrastructure, cut China out of our critical material supply chains, and lower costs across the board. This is how we build a more secure future for Americans.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“A lot of the infrastructure that we need to make this country grow is being held up right now from a lot of radical regulations on the left, outside groups that don't want American energy. They're fine with getting dirty energy from foreign countries, but they want to make it harder to get American energy, and pipelines are part of that ability for us to bring back energy production to America, provide for our own energy needs, and not be dependent on other countries,” said Majority Leader Scalise (LA-01). “Bad energy policy hurts families everywhere, especially low-income families, it’s time we get this policy right.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“This bill will unleash American energy and reduce gasoline and energy prices for all Americans,” said Vice Chair Debbie Lesko (AZ-08). “Since Biden has taken office, look at this chart, gasoline prices have gone up 51 percent, utility gas prices have gone up 44 percent, electricity prices have gone up for Americans 24 percent. H.R. 1 is here to help Americans with these outrageous cost of living increases.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“As fiscal conservatives, we also take pride in the fact that responsible permitting reform has the opportunity to lower emissions while also costing zero taxpayer dollars and lowering the cost of energy for consumers,” said Vice Chair Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01). “I'm proud of the legislative wins in H.R. 1 to reduce energy costs, we all want a cleaner healthier planet for our children and grandchildren and also affordable, abundant energy. H.R. 1 is a step in the right direction.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“I represent over a hundred thousand people who commute over an hour each way back and forth to Los Angeles every day. Mr. Speaker, they are not doing this because they want to, they're doing this because that is what's required to put food on the table for their families,” said Vice Chair Jay Obernolte (CA-23). “This bill will meaningfully improve that situation. I urge support of H.R. 1.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“I stand before you like everybody in this chamber as a grandfather, somebody that wants to leave this earth better than we found it. Some in the past have argued that we must sacrifice affordable energy, reliable energy so that we can be clean. We've seen Europe go down this path: they push back on fracking, they push back on nuclear, and today they buy fracked fuel from an enemy. We've been told that we must give up affordability, give up reliability so that we can be clean. This is a false choice,” said Vice Chair John Curtis (UT-03). “H.R. 1 is a path to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“Nebraska has been on the front lines of NEPA’s impacts over the course of a decades-long expressway program through my congressional district,” said Rep. Mike Flood (NE-01). “It has taken 10 more years than it should have. Under the Obama Administration, the length of time for NEPA reviews climbed from 3.4 years in 2010 to 5.2 years in 2016. President Trump rolled back the red tape, but President Biden brought it all back and expanded the prior requirements. H.R. 1 makes reasonable reforms to ensure that NEPA is applied expeditiously and without unnecessarily burdening states.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“We’re the only country in the world that's both energy and food secure, that is an incredible strategic advantage on the world stage, and in any normal place we would maximize, that we would do everything we could to increase that, but we don't live in a normal place, Mr. Speaker, we live in Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL). “And so, this bill will help us get infrastructure in the ground, help us produce those things that the world is starved for, and allow us energy dependence, energy dominance, and also help communities in states like mine continue to thrive.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“The Democrats want to lecture us about making sure that we stop the polluters, but their own energy plan actually empowers the biggest polluters on the planet, and that is China,” said Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19). “H.R. 1 brings common sense back to America's energy matrix.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is a complete rejection of the Biden Administration's anti-energy policies that have been aimed at workers throughout this country for two years,” said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11). “We're fighting back; we want to produce American-made oil, we want to boost American products in order to reduce inflation.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“Promoting American natural gas is better for energy security, it's better for our own affordability, it's better for reducing global emissions, and there is no logical counter argument to what I just said. There's not one,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02). “I think the Biden Administration actually knows this. That's why they prefer oil production in foreign countries and beg them to drill so that we can pretend we care about the climate while allowing other countries to do the dirty work for us.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“The Lower Energy Costs Act is a product of countless hours of discussion between leadership, stakeholders, and our constituents who are tired of higher costs for less reliable energy,” said Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03). “H.R. 1 puts the American people first by unleashing American energy and securing our supply chains, it will increase American energy production, and restore American energy leadership in the world.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“Today, we offer Americans an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will reverse the America Last policies currently in place,” said Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01). “H.R. 1 will secure domestic energy supply and allow America to control its own destiny by restoring its position as a global leader in production.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“Our energy requirements extend to nearly all of our most vital industries, arguably none more important than our agricultural sector, because a nation that cannot feed itself cannot be safe,” said Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03). “Essential inputs from fertilizer to gasoline for tractors are directly reliant on the price of energy, unleashing the power of our energy will keep the cost of businesses low for our producers and prices low at the grocery store, benefiting all Americans.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“Only a few years ago, our country was comfortably meeting our energy needs, with our own production. Under President Biden's reckless energy agenda, however, we have dramatically increased our dependence on foreign oil, sent gas prices sky-high last year, and increased the cost of energy bills for Americans and the people in Indiana I represent,” said Rep. Larry Bucshon (IN-08). “House Republicans made a Commitment to America that we would end the war on American energy, and we are demonstrating that commitment today by passing H.R. 1. This bill will flip the switch on domestic energy production reversing the administration's anti-energy policies and streamlining our energy infrastructure.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“If we learned nothing else from the energy crisis in Europe, it's that we should never make our nation or our allies dependent on an adversarial nation to meet our energy needs. Sadly, the Biden Administration’s attacks on American hydrocarbon energy make us more dependent on China, who is an adversary, making this not only an economic security issue but a national security issue as well,” said Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06). “Thankfully, the Lower Energy Costs Act puts us on a path to energy security, improves our economy and strengthens our national security.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is about increasing domestic production, permitting reform, streamlining energy exports, and reversing President Biden's anti-energy agenda,” said Rep. Carol Miller (WV-01). “Remember that American energy security is American security.” Click here to watch her full remarks.

“I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. With H.R. 1 we are working to lower energy costs for consumers across America by unleashing American energy. And strengthening American supply chains. H.R. 1 addresses regulatory red tape and permitting barriers to the domestic development of energy without compromising environmental protections,” said Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06). “Through H.R. 1 we can unleash American energy dominance and lower energy costs for American families. And thereby lowering inflation.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

“Every day that I’m in Georgia’s first congressional district, whether I’m talking to a parent, a farmer, a teacher, or a trucker or a small business owner, I hear the same concern—inflation is too high. Everything from diesel to food is more expensive under this president who cannot stop himself from spending your money, stealing your retirement funds, and stomping on your small business," said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01). "H.R. 1 will increase American energy production, reform the permitting process for all industries, reverse this administration's anti-energy policies, streamline energy infrastructure, and boost the production and processing of critical minerals. That's a long-winded way of saying this bill will make our energy sector more affordable, more efficient, and will create more jobs.” Click here to watch his full remarks.

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