OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
It turns out that the Democrats’ plan to rely on Russian oil and shut down U.S. energy independence was a very, very bad idea.
Gas prices hit a 31-year high under Joe Biden, according to USA Today.
A fired Keystone XL pipeline contractor told Fox News, “I’m not surprised at all. Because everything that Biden’s touched or done — it’s a failure.”
Biden made the disastrous decision to stop the XL Keystone pipeline, stop the flow of existing pipelines, and prevent drilling on federal lands. As gas prices soared, he desperately blamed gas and oil companies of engaging in “illegal conduct” that is responsible for “costing families at the pump.”
As Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, America quickly learned how dependent the U.S. is on Russian oil.
Imports from Russia reached record levels in U.S. under Joe Biden. The U.S. imports as much as 600,000 barrels per day.
Republicans have introduced legislation to fight back against this problem. It’s called the American Energy Independence from Russia Act.
GOP Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Bruce Westerman of Arkansas introduced the legislation.
FLOOR ALERT: Russia could threaten our energy security at any moment, but @HouseDemocrats blocked @HouseGOP requests to consider @cathymcmorris & @RepWesterman's bill to unleash AMERICAN-made energy & support our energy independence, strengthen our security & help our allies. pic.twitter.com/RZEyeKyVsQ
— House Rules Republicans (@RulesReps) March 1, 2022
🚨Biden put a new pause on oil and gas leases in America—the same day Russia invaded Ukraine!
Biden is banning American energy production but importing oil from Russia that is funding Putin's invasion. pic.twitter.com/4i3bWLlX6y
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 1, 2022
“We shouldn’t be buying a single barrel of oil from Russia,” Rodgers said. “This bill flips the switch on American energy.”
Westerman added, “Our bill is simple, and it stands up to Russian aggression by going after their major source of funding.”
“It will empower U.S. domestic production by one, immediately approving the Keystone XL pipeline, [and] by restarting the oil and gas leasing program on federal lands and waters,” he added.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy asked, “As an economic and energy super power, why are we relying on dictators when we should be supplying the world?”
More on this story via Western Journal:
In November 2019, the U.S. produced nearly 13 million barrels per day, while in November 2021, the amount was 11.7 million, according to EIA.
Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. became the top oil producer in the world in 2018 for the first time since 1973.
It still holds that position followed by Saudi Arabia, Russia and Canada, according to the Energy Information Administration.
However, in the early days of his presidency, Biden put American dominance in peril.
Under the auspices of addressing climate change, Biden suspended oil and gas leasing on federal lands and reinstated an Obama-era carbon dioxide emission federal fee to oil drilling operations, which had been lowered significantly under former President Donald Trump.
Additionally, the Biden administration shut down oil exploration in the Arctic Wildlife Preserve and canceled the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada.
Last week, Biden’s team announced it would be delaying decisions on new oil and gas leases and permits on federal lands after a judge ruled officials had no constitutional authority to impose higher climate fees on drilling without congressional approval, CNBC reported.
