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House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined CNBC’s Last Call to discuss the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee hearing on meeting the energy needs of emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, while maintaining an affordable, reliable electric grid. Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: On Meeting the Energy Needs of Our Digital Future:    “The hearing today highlighted how important reliable baseload energy is to new technologies, whether it is AI or other technologies . Today we were focusing on the massive data centers that are being built, massive amounts of data that’s being collected and stored, and that all requires reliable energy.    “You think about advanced manufacturing and bringing those technologies to the United States. Again, it is dependent upon energy, and it is foundational to our lives.  “ We need more energy, not less , but we continue to see policies from the administration that are shutting down energy ... their policies are making it harder.  “If we are going to embrace artificial intelligence and everything it offers to us as a nation, it is going to require a lot more energy. That is why we have been continuing to focus on the importance of this baseload reliable energy.”  On the Importance of Reliable Energy:   “Baseload means twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It means that we have to have reliable energy, and that’s so foundational to our lives. We all are dependent upon it.   “What we heard today is that we are going to need at least double, some are predicting even more baseload.   “Down in the Georgia region, where they finally did permit a new nuclear plant, the new Vogtle plant, they said they’re going to need at least the electricity generation equal to five of those Vogtle plants moving forward.   “That’s why the Energy and Commerce Committee has been leading on streamlining the permitting process through a major nuclear package, hydropower, also dealing with natural gas pipelines .    "Permitting is probably the number one barrier to doing anything in the United States of America, including building these energy projects that are so foundational to our lives, our future, and these new technologies.” Don’t miss what E&C Republicans said about the hearing:  Don’t miss in E&E Daily: Energy, Climate and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) set the tone by focusing on competition with U.S. adversaries, namely China. AI, cryptocurrencies and data centers make up about 2 percent of global energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency. That’s only expected to increase in the coming years.   “Communication, new frameworks and long-term planning are vital to meeting the technology and energy needs of this decade and decades to come,” said Duncan.   CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers opening remarks.  CLICK HERE to read Subcommittee Chair Duncan’s opening remarks.

After a unanimous vote in the Energy and Commerce Committee, H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act , passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 352 – 65. Following the strong, bipartisan vote, Energy and Commerce Republicans touted the bill’s widespread support. Highlights and excerpt from the interviews: Rep. Latta on NewsNation: “This is something that the House has been working on for over a year. When Mr. Chew [CEO of TikTok] appeared before us in Committee, I asked him if anyone in Communist China could see this data from Americans users of the app. ‘Yes it could be,’ was his response. We’ve also had security briefings. That’s one of the other big concerns here is the national security of the United States and making sure we protect our citizens from the Communist Chinese accessing their information.” […] “TikTok is owned by ByteDance, and under Communist Chinese law, anything that the government wants, if you’re a Chinese company, you have to give it to the government. What we’re saying in the legislation is if ByteDance, which is the parent [company], divests themselves of TikTok, TikTok can still be used here in the United States.” Rep. Walberg on Scripps News: “We’re not attempting to ban TikTok. […] That’s what TikTok wants its users and subscribers to think we’re doing, but it's not true. We have said that TikTok can remain as long as it's not connected to an adversarial country—China, Russia, North Korea, Iran.” […] “For the purposes of national security, we don’t want something like TikTok, with 170 million users, to have access opportunity from the CCP. That’s a dangerous setting. So, we have said we’re not banning. It can continue on, but it cannot be owned by any company that is controlled by the CCP and that’s ByteDance. It is wholly responsible to the CCP and that’s a dangerous thing. Rep. Cammack on America’s Newsroom: “The thing that’s really concerning is that the CCP has come out and said they would rather see us ‘ban’ TikTok than divest. [ByteDance] stands to make billions of dollars through divestment, but instead the Chinese government is more concerned with having unfettered access [to U.S. data].” […] “Just this time last year, the CEO of TikTok told my Committee that they didn’t have access to geolocation data. But, it turns out, they tapped into the geolocation data of their users, and if you were in an Energy and Commerce Committee Member’s district, you couldn’t use the app until you actually called through the app. They say that they don’t [surveil Americans], but we know that they do.” Rep. Pfluger on Yahoo Finance: “The goal here is we want to make sure Americans are safe. We want to make sure that data is safe. We want to make sure that a foreign adversary is not taking advantage of an application and using Americans and our privacy to their advantage.” […] “This is not about content. It’s about conduct. In fact, we hope that the application can actually continue, but it needs to happen with a trusted purchase, and so far the Chinese Communist Party has a direct tie to ByteDance. It’s about the link to a foreign adversary that has control over it. […] It’s about divesting and putting that company and the application in the hands of trusted agents which are either American businesses or friendly countries.” Rep. Carter on The Claman Countdown: “The House of Representatives has spoken. They have said we’re not going to shun our responsibility of protecting our homeland and our citizens. Instead, we’re not going to let a Chinese Communist Party-owned app operate here in America. Now, if they want to divest themselves and sell their company, […] that’s fine.” […] “This is a decision TikTok’s got to make. If they will divest themselves, then TikTok continues on and people will continue to enjoy it and continue to watch it.” […] “[The vote] was overwhelming in the House— 352 votes. I think that sends a strong message to the Senate. […] The Senate needs to take up this bill and they need to pass this bill. The White House has already said that they would sign it.” Rep. Crenshaw on the Brian Kilmeade Show: "If you're a company in China, you have to do whatever [the CCP] tells you, and you have to spy on whoever [the CCP] tells you to spy on." [...] "[They] can weaponize that kind of tool, and the Chinese have already been shown to have weaponized it. I don't want a situation where we're in an adversarial relationship with the Chinese Communist Party, and they have the ability to manipulate the minds and opinions of tens of millions of Americans."

Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) led subcommittee members in a field hearing last week in Moore County, North Carolina, on enhancing America’s grid security and protecting the grid from vulnerabilities, including cyberattacks. Before the hearing, E&C Republicans toured the Duke Energy power substation that was attacked in December—leaving 45,000 homes and businesses without power for five days. America's electrical grid keeps our hospitals, military bases, homes, and businesses powered. We MUST make sure the grid is secure to keep people safe and our economy moving. The North State Journal : Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce came to Moore County for a Congressional field hearing about securing the nation’s energy grid on Friday, June 16. […] Rep. Richard Hudson, a member of the committee and resident of Southern Pines, called the field hearing essential and the start of a conversation. “This is a day we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Testimony we hear today will set up a national discussion on grid vulnerability,” Hudson said in his opening statement. WNCN : Congressional leaders listened to testimony from a Duke Energy leader about the December power grid attack in Moore County. The attack crippled the electric grid for days and impacted 45,000 customers in the county. “This is a challenging thing for our whole industry,” Jeff Brooks, spokesperson for Duke Energy said. Brooks said the power company is making changes as grid attackers become more sophisticated. “Ways we can get essential equipment closer to the areas that we need it, to use mobile technology where we can. Plus, any deterrent measures we can in place,” Brooks said. Republican Congressman Richard Hudson lives in Moore County and was part of the hearing. He said adding cameras and walls to substations and bringing grids back online faster are just some solutions. “But that’s not enough,” Hudson said. Fox News’ Special Report with Brett Baier : “Tonight, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for answers after a major cyber intrusion on several government agencies. “Tonight, Democrats and Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are calling on the Biden administration to brief them on the major cyberattack that hit multiple federal agencies including the Department of Energy, saying saving people's lives and livelihoods are counting on the committee's work to protect critical infrastructure.” […] “The attack happened as the committee headed to North Carolina for a field hearing on securing the nation's power grid. Last December, someone shot up to power substations in Moore County, knocking out power to 45,000 people for days. According to the Energy Department, attacks on the power grid were up 77% nationwide from 2021 to 2022. Lawmakers say private utility companies need to do more to prevent attacks.” […] “Lawmakers are also deeply concerned about the supply chain right now. It could take up to two years to get a replacement transformer.” […] “Republican Congressman Richard Hudson introduced a bill this week that would prohibit the energy secretary from changing energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers for the next five years.” Highlights from Energy and Commerce Committee Members: Subcommittee Chair Duncan : “There have been several grid security incidents that have occurred recently that we are examining as part of our oversight responsibilities. “Within the last year, we have seen electrical transmission substations attacked in Tacoma, WA and here in Moore County. Both of these attacks resulted in blackouts that affected tens of thousands of people for multiple days. “Prior to these incidents, we saw one of the nation’s most critical pipelines, the Colonial Pipeline, suffer a cyberattack that created fuel shortages and price spikes that lasted weeks.” […] “We are also gathering the perspectives of the electric industry and state partners, to learn how we can harden our grid, improve situational awareness, and support response efforts. […] “I look forward to learning more about the substation attack that occurred here in Moore County so I can share lessons learned with the electric utilities and state officials in my home state of South Carolina and with my colleagues back in Washington, D.C.” Rep. Hudson: “Earlier this morning, we toured the Duke Energy West End substation, one of two substations in Moore County that was intentionally attacked on the evening of December 3rd, leaving my house and 45,000 of my neighbors without power for up to ten days. “In the aftermath of the attack, our hospital was impacted, threatening medical treatments, schools were shutdown, businesses were affected, stoplights were dark, gas stations were closed, cell signal was impacted, and water couldn’t be heated. “Our region suffered millions of dollars in damage—and just before the Christmas holiday.” […] “Since this attack occurred, I have been in listening mode. I have heard from constituents, grid operators, community developers, and business owners who have concerns with our grid’s security and resilience—all against the backdrop of historic energy costs. I share these concerns. “That’s why, as I promised in the days following the attack, I have brought Washington to North Carolina today. “I want to show my colleagues not just the numbers and facts of grid security and resilience, but the people personally affected and their experiences.” Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) : “By forcing states to adopt strict and specific spending targets... the funding is not as effective as it can be. One thing that we worry about is that one size fits coming out of Washington. What you do here in North Carolina might not work in Ohio.” […] “We need to hear from people in the states as they make these things work.” […] “My concern is – if we have a coordinated, massive attack, do we have the supply chain out there... because we have a vulnerability out there.” Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN): “In recent years, we’ve all been confronted with just how vulnerable the grid is. Physical, cybersecurity threats, weather events, and a laze of maintenance all contribute to the uncertainty for providers and rate payers.” […] “It’s critically important that private companies work with governmental agencies, including law enforcement.” […] “We’re going to have to reassess critical infrastructure... and make sure there is good coordination to prevent these attacks that could affect not only a large portion of the American people, but our national security.” Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL): “Depending on the time of year, when you knock out a system for a couple weeks, or longer, it’s not just about loss of business opportunities, it’s talking about loss of life.” CLICK HERE to watch the full field hearing. ICYMI: House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Frank Pallone requested briefings from the Biden administration last week following a major global cyberattack that affected several federal agencies, including the Department of Energy.

It’s no secret the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants to replace the U.S. as a global economic and technological power. House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans previewed their plans to strengthen American resolve against the CCP and ensure America, not China, wins the future. Last week, Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) announced that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify on March 23, 2023, before the committee on the platform’s consumer privacy and data security practices, its harm to kids, and its ties to the CCP. AMERICA’S DANGEROUS ENERGY DEPENDENCE ON CHINA During a full committee hearing last week, Republicans raised concerns about how President Biden is making America dangerously dependent on adversaries like China for our energy. “Every energy technology and source has a role to play but we need to be able to ensure that we are not becoming entirely dependent on unreliable, intermittent energy sources that rely on Chinese supply chains,” Chair Rodgers said . “It’s time to flip the switch and unleash American energy and this committee is at the very center of securing our global leadership and making people's lives better.” “There’s no doubt that China is adding wind and solar and other renewables to their energy matrix,” Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) said . “They’re also building a heck of a lot of coal fired power plants, fossil fuel generation, mining rare Earth minerals that they need for all the technology, which is very detrimental to the environment.” “If we want viable, sustainable energy solutions that make all Americans secure, that appreciates the diversity of our landscapes, and doesn’t rely on premature, aspirational technologies or the availability of mineral supplies from foreign countries being available; then it’s time to turn the page on the current, national energy strategy, or lack thereof. Particularly since it’s one that makes us more dependent on nations that hate us,” Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, & Critical Materials Chair Bill Johnson (R-OH) said . “To illustrate the point, I ask my colleagues to consider a recent article in the Washington Post. It suggested senior U.S. military officials are predicting, and preparing for, war within one to five years with China—the very country we depend on for the critical minerals required for many of the ‘rush to green’ solutions.” “China is striving to secure oil, gas, and critical minerals supply around the world while defending its dominance of renewable energy supply chains,” Robert McNally, the President of Rapidan Energy Group, LLC, testified to the Committee. BOOSTING AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS TO BEAT CHINA At an Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, members and witnesses discussed how America can compete against China and win the future. “Today’s hearing focuses on the greatest threat to our country right now—China. So, it is fitting that to begin the 118th Congress we focus on this threat and discuss how to recapture and maintain our global leadership. The CCP will stop at nothing to undermine our global leadership and weaken our economy,” Subcommittee Chair Bilirakis (R-FL) said . “They have bought up our farmlands, stolen our intellectual property, and embedded themselves deep within many of our supply chains. Now they are turning their attention towards establishing the global standards for emerging technologies. The CCP has invested heavily in Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. Paired with this investment, China is creating favorable environments for their private sector companies and entrepreneurs to deploy and test these technologies.” “In 2020, the China Task Force found that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ‘has a record of using official government resources and companies with CCP affiliations to compromise the data of people around the world’ and that the United States and its allies need to join the ‘effort to secure data from the CCP’s surveillance state and other malign entities.’ These concerns are especially prevalent in China itself, where advanced technology is used to track and monitor their citizens with few protections,” Brandon Pugh, Policy Director and Resident Senior Fellow of the R Street Institute, told the Subcommittee . “Similar concerns are echoed by federal government leaders like Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray, who previously said ‘if you are an American adult, it is more likely than not that China has stolen your personal data.’ He made even more pointed comments recently, saying that ‘China’s vast hacking program is the world’s largest, and they have stolen more Americans’ personal and business data than every other nation combined.’” CHINA'S DANGEROUS STONEWALLING During an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing, Republican members noted how China has put the world in danger of future outbreaks because of that country’s refusal to cooperate with investigations into the origins of COVID-19. “Existing pandemic preparedness plans have mentioned the need for investigating the origins of pandemics but have neither spelled out the challenges nor the specifics for how to conduct an effective probe,” Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said . “One of the challenges laid out in the (GAO) report is the need for investigators to have more access to samples from early cases in order to be effective in determining the pandemic’s origin. We must address this issue since some government organizations, including the Government of the Chinese Communist Party, have a history of withholding this type of information.” BEATING CHINA IN NEXT-GEN TECHNOLOGY Members of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee examined how China is seeking to undermine us in a range of advanced communications technologies, including next-gen satellite technology. “We must also ensure continued American leadership in advanced communications services. In order to do that, our regulations must foster an environment of innovation and certainty,” Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) said . “As countries like China seek to dominate the technologies of the future, we must make the United States an attractive place to invest in cutting edge developments that align with American values and guarantee the availability of trusted satellite communications. “Countries like China seek to undermine us in a range of advanced communications technologies, including next-gen satellite technology. We can’t afford to let this happen,” Chair Rodgers said . “The Chinese Communist Party will do whatever it takes to embed their authoritarianism into next generation technologies like these. This is a country that spies on its citizens and asserts strict government control over businesses and the economy. They want to replace the U.S. as the economic and technological power so they can spread their values and vision of the future. We need to make sure these technologies are developed in an ecosystem that promotes America’s values, not China’s.” “China’s accelerating space prowess and reach presents both economic and national security challenges. China’s expanding space sector creates a competitive alternative in the global marketplace, oftentimes with attractive incentives and financing, that will steadily chip away at the market share enjoyed by U.S. companies,” Kari Bingen, Director, Aerospace Security Project and Senior Fellow, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies said. “As highlighted in a 2021 European market assessment, ‘[W]hile the most advanced commercial space companies clearly remain Western companies, China is now leading the world in terms of number of commercial space companies being established.’ On the national security front, the U.S. military’s battlefield advantage has long rested on our superior technology. But that is at risk as Beijing seeks to close the gap in our technology advantage.”

Republicans are hard at work on solutions to slow the fentanyl crisis that is wreaking havoc on our communities. With more than 71,000 Americans dying from a fentanyl or fentanyl-related substance in 2021, most of which has been smuggled in from Mexico, President Biden cannot continue our porous southern border. In a roundtable last week , E&C Republicans heard powerful testimony from the parents of a child lost to the epidemic, a former drug enforcement agent, and an emergency medicine physician. House Energy and Commerce Republicans held a roundtable Wednesday on the fentanyl crisis in a potential preview of the committee’s focus on curbing the epidemic, Ben reports. The roundtable with a former DEA official and an emergency medicine doctor included emotional testimony from Ray and Deb Cullen, who lost their 22-year-old son, Zachary, to fentanyl poisoning last year. Deb Cullen called for the crisis to be handled like Covid-19. Paul Knierim, former assistant administrator at DEA, warned of the fake pills’ danger. Lawmakers also pointed to issues at the southern border as a contributing factor. […] The committee’s Republicans are expected to focus on addressing fentanyl’s role in the opioid crisis in the new Congress. That includes pushing tech companies like Snapchat and TikTok to crack down on fentanyl sales on their platform. Read more . Republicans plan to introduce legislation that would classify fentanyl as a Schedule I drug, which would designate it as an illicit drug with a high risk for abuse and would increase punishment for those who sell it illegally. Rep. Morgan Griffith, Virginia Republican, said he will reintroduce his signature bill, the HALT Fentanyl Act, which would permanently place fentanyl into the Schedule I category for drugs. Mr. Griffith said he also wants to end the stigma around fentanyl that stereotypes its victims as irresponsible addicts. Keep reading . OAN’s Daniel Baldwin: “The GOP hosted a roundtable, specifically the Energy and Commerce Committee, yesterday to discuss the worsening fentanyl crisis with a focus on illegal drug smuggling across our southern border. The president just had a visit down to the southern border last weekend... he didn't mention fentanyl.” Click here to watch full clip . Joyce, a physician, drew broad agreement from GOP leaders at the table that the Schedule I temporary designation of fentanyl-related substances should be made permanent. They felt greater penalties were needed when traffickers were caught to act as a deterrent to criminal activity. “It should be a priority,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida. “This is poison. It’s a weapon of mass destruction. […] Committee members agreed to investigate that issue further.   Rep. Mike Burgess, R-Texas, said Democrats in control of the federal government for the last two years had blocked GOP efforts to make Schedule I status permanent. He said Democrats appeared more concerned about creating more potential penalties for offenders than protecting youth and other vulnerable populations. “I don’t know why they step away from this instead of moving forward,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Kentucky. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, said it was virtually impossible to stop the movement of fentanyl without securing the southern border, something the Biden administration refused to do. Keep reading . “Congressman John Joyce led a roundtable discussion yesterday concerning the ongoing fentanyl crisis. For Americans between the ages of 18 and 48, the crisis has become the leading cause of death.” Watch here . “This problem touches every district in our country, and it’s critical that we on the Energy and Commerce Committee work to find a solution,” said Joyce. “For over a year, Republicans have been trying to permanently ban fentanyl related substances by labeling them as schedule one narcotics. This designation will help give law enforcement the tools and resources they need to stop the drug traffickers that are killing American citizens without remorse.” Keep reading . “This problem touches every district in our country, and it’s critical that we on the Energy and Commerce Committee work to find a solution,” Congressman Joyce said. “For over a year, Republicans have been trying to permanently ban fentanyl related substances by labeling them as schedule one narcotics. This designation will help give law enforcement the tools and resources they need to stop the drug traffickers that are killing American citizens without remorse.” The roundtable was the first step in the legislative process as lawmakers look to pass legislation to permanently label fentanyl analogs as Schedule 1 narcotics under the Controlled Substances Act. Keep reading . Joyce was joined by the parents of a man from Shippensburg, who died recently from ingesting fentanyl, as he chaired a roundtable discussion among Republicans on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce about fentanyl. Keep reading .

President Biden wants to control every aspect of our lives—from what kind of cars we can drive, how we can heat our homes, and now how we’re allowed to cook food for our families. Last week, it was reported that the Biden administration is looking to ban gas stoves from American homes across the country. This is just the latest in a long line of power grabs by the radical Left. It's not about public safety, but rather about telling the American people the federal government knows what’s best. Nearly 35% of homes in the U.S. – more than 40 million Americans – use a natural gas stove. That’s why Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and 86 of her House Republican colleagues sent a letter to President Biden demanding the administration reverse any attempts to ban gas stoves. Chair Rodgers also sent a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) echoing these concerns.  Highlights and excerpts from the Fox Business exclusive coverage on the letter to President Biden : Furious lawmakers are calling on President Biden to cease any efforts by his administration to ban natural gas stoves inside Americans' homes. Republicans on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to the president Friday writing in "strong opposition" to reported efforts by regulators to ban natural gas appliances. "This kind of intrusion into the homes of Americans by the federal government as a way of forcing rush-to-green, liberal policies is the ‘nanny state’ at its worst," the Republicans wrote. "Banning natural gas stoves is not about public safety – it is another example of government control; like other policies we have seen from your administration, to tell Americans what kinds of cars they can drive, how they heat their homes, and how to live their lives." The Biden administration caused an uproar over gas stoves earlier this week after a commissioner on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggested regulators were considering banning the appliance due to health and safety concerns. From E&E News : House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) is already making plans to bring the issue before her committee. “I’m quite concerned,” Rodgers told E&E News. “I think we need to dig into this more and probably bring them in and ask some questions.” CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers’ January 11th statement on President Biden’s plan to ban gas stoves. CLICK HERE to read House Republicans’ January 13th letter to President Biden. CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers’ January 13th letter to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric.

President Biden continues to turn to foreign dictators and adversaries for energy, rather than encouraging more oil and gas production here at home. Over the weekend, President Biden  issued permits  to drill oil in Venezuela. Earlier this month, he vowed “ no more drilling ” in the United States. Instead of reversing course on his rush-to-green agenda and war on American energy, President Biden is ceding our global leadership by making it easier for foreign dictators to profit off American consumers and use energy as a weapon. Energy and Commerce Republicans are calling President Biden and his administration out. If they were serious about reducing emissions and helping lower prices for Americans, they would flip the switch and unleash clean, reliable energy production here at home. READ: Key quotes from the  Fox Business  article: Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA):  “Instead of getting serious about flipping the switch for more energy production here in the U.S.—which would help lower energy costs and reduce emissions—the Biden administration continues to cede our global energy leadership to corrupt regimes.  Easing sanctions on Venezuela—a dictatorship allied with Iran—is just the latest example and harkens back to President Biden’s decision to waive sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline , which strengthened Putin and invited the attack on Ukraine. Rather than going hat in hand to our adversaries,  President Biden needs to abandon his war on American energy and join Republican efforts to unleash the abundant energy resources we have right here at home.” Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton (R-MI):  “Our nation needs to center on North American energy resources,  not depend on dictators elsewhere in the world.” Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND):  “They never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. When you do everything you can to stop domestic production, it’s a real problem…  Why would you reward the bad actors and hinder the good actors?” Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH):  “I wasn’t surprised to learn the Biden Administration is turning to Venezuela for oil. The President and his team have repeatedly demonstrated they will beg any nation for oil while consistently restricting energy production here at home. Now is the time for choosing. The world needs energy — American energy. This is a historic opportunity for our leaders to come back to reality and realize that  if we ruin our economy by pursuing these arbitrary ‘rush to green’ goals to achieve this ‘energy transition’ by shutting down our affordable and reliable energy resources, resource-rich rogue nations like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela will fill the void.” Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH):  “Since President Biden’s first day in office, he has made a concerted effort to crush domestic energy production. This effort now includes lifting sanctions on Venezuela’s authoritarian regime and reopening U.S. markets to import oil from Venezuela.  Instead of turning to authoritarian nations to supply our oil and gas, we should be investing in efforts to boost energy sources right here in the U.S.” More from Energy and Commerce Republicans: CLICK HERE  for Energy and Commerce Republicans’ solutions to unleash American energy and help lower prices, reduce emissions, and create more jobs.

He’s Depleted the SPR More Than Every President Combined Since day one in office, President Biden has waged war on American fossil energy. This has led to 40-year high inflation and made everyday life more expensive for people across the board—from the gas pump to the grocery store. To cover up his failed “rush-to-green” agenda, President Biden is depleting our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). He has sold off more than 200 million barrels—nearly 40 percent of the stockpile—while in office. This is more than all the U.S. presidents in history combined. As a result, the SPR is now at its lowest level since 1984 – and the administration has no plan to refill it. This morning, his administration announced an additional 15 million barrels would be drained from the SPR to bailout Democrats ahead of the midterms, further surrendering both our energy security and national security to countries like Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. BOTTOM LINE:  President Biden is depleting our strategic reserves at a record rate. We’re going to run dangerously low—and be unprepared for a true emergency—if his reckless actions continue. If President Biden was serious about lowering prices across the board—and not just interested in an election year gimmick—he would work with Republicans on solutions to flip the switch for more American energy production. House Republicans on Energy and Commerce have sounded the alarm for months on the administration’s misuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR), including introducing legislation to reverse course on Biden’s energy crisis. House Democrats have blocked EVERY SINGLE BILL.  Here’s the proof: In  November 2021 , after President Biden released 50 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves, E&C Republicans  urged  Biden to work with American energy producers to boost production here – not beg OPEC to pump more oil or coordinate with China on releasing strategic reserves.  In  December 2021 , E&C Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers introduced a bill to require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on Federal lands if the president uses our country’s SPR for non-emergency reasons.  Democrats  blocked it  – doubling down on high gas prices and President Biden’s energy crisis. In  February 2022,  Republican Leaders Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Bruce Westerman  introduced  the American Independence from Russia Act which flips the switch to unleash American energy production. It immediately approves the Keystone XL pipeline, removes all restrictions on U.S. LNG exports, restarts oil and gas leasing on our federal lands and offshore waters, and requires DOE to make a plan to replace drawn down oil from the SPR. To date, House Democrats have  BLOCKED  the American Energy Independence from Russia Act  SIX TIMES. In  June 2022 , E&C Republican Leaders Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Fred Upton sent a letter to Secretary Granholm  demanding answers  for the how the administration “is rapidly depleting the nation’s petroleum reserves ahead of elections in November, while failing to establish long-term plans” to replenish the reserves. We received  no reply  from Secretary Granholm. In July 2022, House Republicans   demanded answers from the administration as to why our emergency energy reserves were being sent to foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, compromising our energy security and national security. Also in  July 2022 , Democrats  blocked  E&C Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ amendment,  introduced by Rep. Jeff Duncan , to stop the Biden administration from selling our strategic energy reserves to China. Democrats would rather send our reserves to communist dictatorships than keep America powered during emergencies. In  September 2022 , E&C Republicans led a resolution of inquiry to hold the Biden administration for draining our SPR, jeopardizing our national security and energy security. E&C Democrats  BLOCKED  our efforts to hold the Biden administration accountable. Today , E&C Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers  called out  the Biden administration’s plans to further drain our strategic reserves. Key excerpt: “Instead of using the SPR for political bailout and empowering America’s adversaries, President Biden should end his war on American energy and join Republican efforts to reclaim our energy dominance.” Don’t miss what E&C Republicans are saying too:

Washington, D.C. —  House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), along with Health Subcommittee Republican Leader Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Republican Leader Bob Latta (R-OH), Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee Republican Leader Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Republican Leader Morgan Griffith (R-VA) sent letters to TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and the U.S. Department of Justice on doing more to crack down on illegal fentanyl sales and prevent criminals from exploiting these platforms to sell this deadly poison. Excerpts and highlights from the letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew:   “We write with significant concerns regarding the use of TikTok by drug dealers to sell illicit and deadly substances, especially to children and minors.  We have read numerous reports and heard personal stories from parents who have tragically lost their children to fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances from pills purchased from drug dealers on TikTok. The loss of these young lives shows not enough is being done to crack down on this illegal activity and prevent criminals from exploiting your platform to sell this deadly poison.     “Our country’s communities and families are facing an unprecedented crisis due to the increasingly widespread presence of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.  In 2021, nearly 108,000 people died of drug overdoses; 71,000 of which were from fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances. Between FY2020 and FY2021, more than 10,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl were seized at our southern border, enough to kill every American seven times over. Law enforcement in communities across the country are seizing record amounts of illicit fentanyl pills, including a case earlier this summer where two Washington State men were arrested in California with 1 million pills containing fentanyl.    “The widespread availability and sale of these illicit pills containing fentanyl has led to record levels of overdose deaths. Every overdose is a tragedy and more must be done to facilitate access to treatment for those suffering from a substance use disorder (SUD).  However, many of these overdose deaths are unrelated to SUDs and have occurred in individuals taking a single pill they thought was prescription medication but was instead counterfeit and laced with fentanyl.  According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), these fake pills are often manufactured to resemble ‘real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®).’  “Tragically, in these instances, traditional methods to combat opioid addiction and overdoses, such as SUD treatment or distribution of fentanyl test strips, are not effective.  More must be done to combat this epidemic of tragic overdoses, and TikTok must do more to combat the illegal activity on its platform. A consistent theme of this crisis is the purchasing of pills believed to be something else by teenagers and youth using TikTok’s platform. TikTok must do more to combat the use of its platform for illegal activity, especially drug dealers peddling this dangerous poison.”   CLICK HERE  to read the full letter to TikTok. CLICK HERE  to read the full letter to Snapchat. CLICK HERE  to read the full letter to Instagram.  CLICK HERE  to read the full letter to the U.S. Department of Justice.