Rep. Jackson’s bill seeks energy independence

On Tuesday Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the American Energy Independence Act of 2022, which reverses President Biden’s shutdown of the American energy sector and returns American energy to full production. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Immediately following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the price of oil rose to over $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014. Gas and energy prices for working Americans are quickly rising to new highs. The Biden Administration has been reluctant to sanction the Russian energy sector, due no doubt to the United States’ dangerous dependence on foreign energy. At the same time, European countries, particularly Germany, are heavily dependent on Russian natural gas.
Jackson said: “Energy security is national security, and we see that clearly with what is going on in Ukraine. Since his first day in office, Joe Biden has worked overtime to crush American energy interests. Consequently, we went from being energy independent to relying on Russian oil. We are now helping Putin, a ruthless dictator, finance his invasion of Ukraine. Our response has been hindered because of our, and our NATO allies’, dependence on Russian oil. Had Biden maintained the American energy independence President Trump achieved, we would’ve been set to crush Russian oil and end their ability to make war against Ukraine. Americans are also feeling the pinch of Biden’s War on Energy at the gas pump and when they pay their utility bills. It’s past time we put America First and end this nonsense. Senator Hawley and I are proud to introduce this bill, which will return the United States to the forefront of global energy production. We must protect American interests and give our allies the option to purchase American oil instead of Russia’s.”
The American Energy Independence Act of 2022 will:
— Assert that it is the official policy of the United States to achieve full energy independence and low energy costs for its citizens in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
— Instruct federal agencies to identify and rescind existing regulations that have the effect of reducing American energy independence, bar new climate rules that reduce energy security or raise energy prices, and direct agencies to work to achieve energy independence by 2024.