Rep. Weber Condemns President Biden for Draining Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) and 30 original cosponsors introduced a resolution condemning President Biden's irresponsible withdrawal of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

The Energy Policy and Conservative Act of 1975 was enacted on December 22, 1975, creating the SPR to respond to the global oil crisis. There have only been three emergency drawdowns from the SPR in its history--during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and, in coordination with the International Energy Agency, responding to instability in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. President Biden has drained more than a third of the U.S. SPR to help quell gas prices.

"We are 639 days into Joe Biden's disastrous presidency, and it has been an all-out assault against American energy," said Rep. Randy Weber. "One of the most alarming offensives is Biden's abuse of America's invaluable Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This resolution calls for President Biden to halt the sale of petroleum products from the SPR and to begin replenishing this critical emergency resource immediately. This is no longer about reducing gas prices for political gain; now he's recklessly gutting our energy defense."

"President Biden shouldn't open the spigot of our strategic petroleum reserves, meant for national emergencies, to hide his failed energy policies or to serve his political purposes," said Rep. Mayra Flores. "Doing so, not only puts our national security at risk but also negatively impacts energy jobs across our state and country, and American energy production."

"Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is designed for weather emergencies or national security matters, not political expediency, or an upcoming midterm election," said Rep. Pat Fallon. "Under President Trump, our SPR reached almost 700 million barrels of oil, now we are approaching levels not seen in nearly 40 years. With every draw down that Joe Biden makes; he puts our national security more at risk. His actions and radical energy agenda are unacceptable and a disservice to the American people. I am proud to join fellow Texan, Congressman Randy Weber in this effort."

"Starting on Day 1 of Joe Biden's presidency, he worked to destroy American's energy independence - causing prices at the pump to hit historic highs," said Rep. Drew Ferguson. "Now, Biden is recklessly dumping our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to try and control prices, after his negotiations with totalitarian leaders failed to get more oil on the market. Thankfully the push under Trump's administration for American energy independence led to very low prices and allowed the U.S. to fill up the SPR, but Biden is quickly draining our emergency supply putting American's national security at serious risk."

"Biden is shamelessly compromising U.S. energy security in a cynical, politically-motivated attempt to salvage Democrats' midterm hopes," said Rep. Chip Roy. "Gas prices are sky high because the Biden administration is dead-set on advancing a radical energy agenda driven by left wing climate hysterics, no matter the cost to Americans. I know the American people recognize Biden's Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases for what they are: nothing more than an ineffective, dangerous political ploy."

"President Biden's decision to release millions of more barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a politically motivated move that compromises our national security and is a shortsighted response to the ongoing energy crisis," said Rep. Roger Williams. "This Administration's anti-energy agenda and refusal to invest in American oil and gas production have us led to this energy crisis and have crushed Texas families with skyrocketing energy costs. It is past time to reverse the damage of Biden's Green New Deal agenda and unleash American energy dominance."

"Since he took office, Biden's disastrous energy policies have weakened our energy independence," said Rep. Tony Gonzales. "We should be unleashing American energy, not draining our oil reserves. This politically motivated decision is a reckless move that puts our national security at risk."

"Joe Biden has spent his presidency waging war on our oil and gas sector and draining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve dry," said Rep. Brian Babin. "Americans are sick of his reckless and irresponsible actions. They want affordable solutions that lead to energy security."

"The Biden Administration is well on the way to scraping the bottom of the barrel of America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve," said Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. "Depleting our SPR, which is reserved for emergency global supply disruptions, is irresponsible and yet another political ruse to bail President Biden out from his self-inflicted energy crisis before November. The liquidation and drawdown of the SPR jeopardizes our national security. It's time for the President and his anti-American energy agenda to get out of the way so America can flip the switch and regain our energy independence."

"Under President Trump, we had energy independence. From his first day in office, Joe Biden has attacked our domestic energy production, begged other countries for oil, and has tapped into our strategic oil reserves to manipulate gas prices, said Rep. Mary Miller. "Joe Biden and House Democrats continue to push political policies ahead of the midterm elections that put American jobs and American energy last."

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