Today, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s announcement that the U.S. would ban Russian oil, natural gas, and coal imports:
“Banning Russian oil, gas, and coal imports is absolutely the right thing to do. We cannot continue to fund Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. But the reality is that any ban on Russian energy that fails to flip the switch on American energy is incomplete.
“Unless the President also takes immediate action to increase U.S. energy production, prices will continue to rise here at home. I can’t understand why the President would turn to dictators in Iran and Venezuela for oil and gas instead of American energy producers. Not only does this damage our national security but it also hurts the environment. We should be focused on how American energy can be used counter authoritarian regimes, not forcing our European allies and fellow Americans to rely on them for their energy needs.
“President Biden needs to simultaneously ban Russian energy imports and unleash our domestic oil and gas production. By doing so, we can secure America’s energy independence, weaken Putin’s position of power, provide Americans with more affordable energy, and reduce global emissions.”
Last week, Joyce introduced the Ending Dependence on Russian Energy Act to prohibit the U.S. from importing oil and gas from Russia, direct the President to reduce restrictions on the exportation of oil and natural gas produced in the U.S., and authorize the Keystone XL pipeline. He is also a cosponsor of the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, which would require the Biden Administration to create an energy security plan within 30 days and take action to unleash America’s oil and natural gas production to offset Russian energy imports.
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