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The Republican Recap: Week of January 23, 2023

Here’s a recap of everything Republicans achieved on the House Floor this week: Unleash Domestic Energy Production and Lower Gas Prices ✅ Today, the House of Representatives voted to protect the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and strengthen our nation’s energy security. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ legislation, H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act, would require the Biden Administration to stop their abuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands that offsets any additional drawdowns. “President Biden has turned a longtime bipartisan strategic asset, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, into a political tool to cover up the consequences of his expensive rush-to-green agenda. H.R. 21 provides a path towards making energy more affordable and reliable for Americans by preserving the SPR’s vital and central purpose – to provide the oil supplies Americans need during true emergencies, not drain them away for non-emergency, political purposes. I am honored to join my Republican colleagues in passing this important bill to strengthen American energy security and leadership,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers. President Biden has used the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was created by Congress to respond to oil supply disruptions, as his own personal piggy bank. Last year, the Biden Administration released 180 million barrels of oil. This was the largest drawdown of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in American history. As a direct result of President Biden's reckless anti-American energy policies, our emergency reserves are at their lowest level since 1983. Releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is not a long-term solution to help struggling families, workers, and small businesses. What Members Said: “I’m proud that the new Republican majority made this one of our first priorities. In less than two years, President Biden has drained our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, putting American energy security at risk. Thankfully, Republicans have a plan to address this issue: Replenish our reserve and unleash American energy. The President’s energy policies have hurt Americans,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.   

Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Miller-Meeks’ remarks. 

“Established in 1975, the SPR was intended to respond to national emergencies and to address severe supply disruptions, not to manipulate gas prices. This bill is quite simple. It requires the Secretary of Energy to submit a plan to increase domestic energy production with any non-emergency drawdown of the SPR, and despite falsehoods from the members of the President’s own cabinet, this legislation provides clean exceptions for legitimate energy interruptions and only applies to non-emergency sales,” said Rep. Troy Balderson.  

Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Balderson’s remarks. 

“President Biden’s use of the SPR for his own political emergencies is unacceptable. And we are now standing up to return the SPR to its rightful use for national security emergencies, not fabricated political emergencies,” said Rep. August Pfluger.  

Click here or on the image above to view Rep. Pfluger’s remarks. 

Rep. Beth Van Duyne slammed President Biden’s war on American energy and abuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.   

Rep. Buddy Carter called out the Biden Administration for draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for political purposes.   

Rep. Tim Burchett highlighted how House Republicans are working to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.  


First Modified-Open Rule in Seven Years  House Republicans have delivered on our promise to open up the legislative process. This week, we considered legislation under a modified-open rule for the first time in seven years. The modified-open rule allowed any Member of Congress to offer an amendment on the House Floor. This open process gave representatives the ability to directly influence legislation and advocate on behalf of their constituents. There were 78 amendments considered.