WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, to remove unnecessary export controls on LNG, strengthen the domestic economy, and increase the energy security of the United States and our allies.

Chairman Guthrie’s remarks on H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, as prepared for delivery:

“In February 2016, the first cargo of U.S. LNG set sail from the lower 48, making the United States a natural gas exporter for the first time since the 1960s.

“Since then, exports have increased from 0.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2016 to nearly 12 billion cubic feet per day in 2024, making the U.S. the global leader in LNG in less than a decade.

“U.S. LNG has played an undeniably important role in providing affordable, abundant, and clean energy to the world.

“This could not have been more evident than in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, disrupting global commodity markets and leaving Europe without secure access to energy.

“Immediately, US producers began sending cargoes of American gas to the continent to fuel their economies and heat their homes, helping some of our most important global allies.

“However, in January 2024 the Biden-Harris Administration announced an illegal and indefinite ban on new export authorizations, all in the name of vaguely stated climate change goals.

“Current law is clear, requiring a statutory presumption in favor of exports are in the public interest.

“Plus, the vast majority of studies show that not only do LNG exports bolster our energy security, they also help maintain low domestic natural gas prices for Americans.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s action not only jeopardized our European allies, it threatened the faith and credibility of American companies’ contracts, emboldened Russia and other nefarious actors, and created uncertainty for domestic producers of natural gas.

“H.R. 1949, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, would ensure this catastrophic policy decision is never made again by removing DOE from the statutory authorization process.

“This legislation maintains the President’s authority to impose sanctions on foreign governments, prohibiting imports or exports if justified.

“Free trade, open markets, and competition have resulted in the U.S. emerging as a global energy superpower, and lifting these restrictions will help maintain this dominance at a time it is needed most. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1949.

“The American people have made it clear that we cannot heed the calls of radical environmental activists putting politics over people.

“The United States is blessed with enormous gas reserves, more than sufficient to meet rising global demand while also serving our domestic markets.

“This bill will create American jobs, help our allies around the world, and maintain low-cost natural gas for American families and businesses.

“I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back.”

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