Last week, your House Republican majority was hard at work delivering upon the key promises that we made to the American people. On Friday, we passed H.R. 1 – the Lower Energy Costs Act. H.R. 1 provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of American energy such as oil, gas and minerals. This includes waiving burdensome environmental regulation, eliminating restrictions on drilling and energy exports, reopening federal lands to oil and gas drilling and reducing royalties and charges on American energy development. In short, this bill would nullify the energy-killing Executive Actions of the Biden administration and not only revive American energy independence and dominance but also lower our energy costs.
I offered two amendments to H.R. 1, which were both agreed-to and included as part of the legislation upon final passage in the House. The first amendment that I offered was to require an analysis of the quantity and quality of US domestic uranium deposits compared to other countries around the world. This will further US energy security and leadership, ensure our priorities are in the right place as a nation and provide accurate insights for future action. The second amendment that I offered was to require the implementation of a study that explores the licensing and permitting process of energy sources under the Department of Energy’s jurisdiction. There is no question that licensing and permitting has changed significantly over the past two+ years since President Biden took office. My amendment will streamline regulatory processes, cut down unnecessary red tape and optimize US power production.
Later on Friday, I had the honor of attending another signing ceremony with Speaker McCarthy and many of my colleagues. Last week’s ceremony celebrated the passage of H.J. Res, 7 in both houses of Congress–the House Republican resolution to end the COVID-19 National Emergency after more than three years. Back in February, the House voted by a near party-line margin to pass the resolution and just last week, the Senate passed the resolution by a convincing 2/3 margin. This proposal has gained momentum among both parties and following the signing ceremony in Speaker McCarthy's office, it was delivered to the desk of President Biden. We must put this dark era of tyrannical government overreach behind us.
Last week we also continued our internal discussions on the debt ceiling. House Republicans are working hard on the debt ceiling to ensure we are responsible with our fiscal future but President Biden refuses to negotiate with us. People are sick and tired of his "Old-Washington" brinksmanship. We want to sit down and figure this out now. Biden needs to step up and do his job! For reference, let’s take a trip back in time to October. Joe Biden was President, Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House & Kamala Harris was Senate tiebreaker. Democrats could have easily agreed to a clean debt ceiling six months ago but chose not to and instead decided to play politics, brinksmanship & mess with our treasury markets.
Finally, it is safe to say that our country is not in good shape right now. 70% of Americans say we’re on the wrong track, China is emboldened and Biden’s presidency has been a disaster. Despite all of this, the top priority for Democrats is to attack a former President who hasn’t been in office for years. This is un-American and will backfire. Democrats have been lecturing us for years about saving the "Soul of America." Nothing in the "Soul of America" includes going after your political opponents through lawfare no matter how much you don't like them. DA Bragg’s indictment of Pres. Trump is a bastardization of the criminal court.
As your Congressman, you have my commitment to work on your behalf and restore order and proper governance to The People's House.
