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Washington, DC—June 28, 2022....Continuing his work to fight the Biden Administration’s misguided energy agenda, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today proposed an amendment during House Appropriations Committee markup that would strengthen American energy and national security. His measure requires the Secretary of Energy to immediately develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands before further depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). Unfortunately, the Democrats rejected this commonsense move, which would ensure a serious strategy is in place to make certain our emergency reserve meant for natural disasters and emergencies is properly replenished. President Biden announced the biggest-ever drain of our nation’s SPR this year. It now sits at its lowest level since 1986.

Watch Congressman Womack propose the amendment here.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment which would require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands to replace the drawdown before tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“We’ve all felt it. A stop at the gas station to fill the tank to get to work, school, doctor’s appointment, or the grocery store has left our wallets a lot lighter.

“Gas prices have set records this summer. In fact, on June 14, 2022, AAA recorded the highest national average price at $5.016.

“This is at a time when families are stretched thin, paying more for everyday necessities.

“Despite the pain felt in Americans’ pocketbooks, the current Administration continues to double down on bad policies that created this crisis in the first place.

“Under the current Administration, America’s domestic energy production has declined by more than 1.5 million barrels per day. And yet, the Administration has not issued any new onshore or offshore leases to date.

“Just last month, the Interior Department announced that it will not move forward with the three remaining leases, two in the Gulf of Mexico and one in Alaska.

“On top of that, this decision was issued as the five-year plan, required by statute, is expiring at the end of June with no new plan in place to hold additional sales.

“Instead of increasing supply to drive down prices, the Administration shifts blames to the industry and dips into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, our emergency stockpile.

“This month, the SPR dropped to 497.9 million barrels, the lowest it has been in over 30 years.

“Make no mistake, there is a finite amount of crude in the SPR, and it will not last forever. What is the plan then? What do we do when we have drained our rainy-day fund and a real rainy-day hits?

“My amendment would ensure that before there is a draw from the SPR, that there is a plan to increase domestic supply by the same percentage.

“We can’t continue to rely on a political band aid with no plan in place to solve the root of the problem.

“I urge a yes vote on this amendment. Thank you, and I yield back.”

Womack will not support appropriations bills until problematic provisions are removed and the unworkable spending levels are amended.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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