McMorris Rodgers Leads Passage of H.R. 21 to Protect America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves

Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed her legislation, the Strategic Production Response Act (H.R. 21). This bill would help ensure the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is available during a true energy emergency and prevent it from being abused for non-emergency, political purposes. 

“Biden has turned a longtime bipartisan strategic asset, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, into a political tool to cover up the consequences of his expensive rush-to-green agenda,” said Rodgers. “H.R. 21 provides a path towards making energy more affordable and reliable for Americans by preserving the SPR’s vital and central purpose — to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies, not drain them away for non-emergency, political purposes. I am honored to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important bill to strengthen American energy security and leadership.”

NOTE: Cathy spoke in support of the legislation on the House Floor prior to its passage. Click here or the image below to watch her remarks:

Excerpts from her remarks:

“Right now, America is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades, and gas prices are still surging upwards.

“President Biden and the Democrats’ radical ‘rush to green’ agenda has made life unaffordable for people across the country.

“It is time to flip the switch. It’s time to end the politically motivated abuse of the SPR and focus on American energy and American security.”

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

ICYMI: As Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy hosted a roundtable yesterday to discuss the importance of American energy security. Members of the committee were joined by expert panelists, including Dr. Ed Schweitzer, founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman, Wash. 

Panelists shared their expertise on how the U.S. has become dangerously dependent on countries like China and Russia, as well as how we can reverse this trend by unleashing American energy and securing our grid.

CLICK HERE to watch the full roundtable discussion.

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