LaTurner urges support for the Lower Energy Costs Act on House Floor
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Jake LaTurner (R-KS) participated in debate on H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act on the House Floor. Rep. LaTurner highlighted how this crucial legislation will help get America back on the path toward energy independence and lower gas and utility costs for Kansas families.
Below are Congressman LaTurner’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Speaker I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1—the Lower Energy Costs Act.
For the past two years, the Biden administration has done everything in their power to make it harder to produce energy here in the United States. Within the first 24 hours of being sworn into office, President Biden took executive action to kill the Keystone XL pipeline project and ban new drilling on federal lands.
When prices began to rise because of these misguided policies, the White House sold off our emergency oil supply and looked to Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia to increase production instead of turning to energy producers right here in America.
Just a few years ago, our nation was energy independent. Now we are relying on our adversaries for our most critical energy resources. As a result, families across America have faced record-high prices at the pump and soaring utility costs. It’s time for a new direction.
The Lower Energy Costs Act maximizes production of reliable American-made energy by streamlining the permitting process, investing in energy infrastructure in the United States, and reversing burdensome and costly regulations put in place by the Biden Administration.
President Biden’s commitment to Green New Deal policies not only puts our national security at risk, but also threatens our way of life in Kansas. The energy sector in my home state employs more than 150,000 hard-working Kansans, provides more than $3 billion in family income, and delivers over $1.5 billion in state and local tax revenue. This legislation will protect our energy security, grow our economy, and create good-paying jobs in our communities.
House Republicans promised the American people that we would take action to put our nation back on the path toward energy independence and lower gas and electricity prices for hard-working families. The Lower Energy Costs Act is a crucial first step in making good on that commitment, and I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, and I yield back.