Congressional Record, House, March 9, 2022 — Rule for H.R. 2471, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 6968
Summary
This is H1381 of the Congressional Record, House, March 9, 2022, in a document titled Rule for H.R. 2471, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 6968. Mr. McGovern, from the Committee on Rules, submits a privileged report (Rept. No. 117-261) on House Resolution 972, providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, H.J. Res. 75, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022, and H.R. 6968, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. The report states that the rule provides for a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2471 with a House amendment and 1 hour of debate, and that it provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 75 under a closed rule.
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“Congressional Record, House, March 9, 2022 — Rule for H.R. 2471, H.J. Res. 75 and H.R. 6968.”
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March 9, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1381
REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- sions B, C, F, X, and Z, and titles 2 and 3 of Resolution 972, providing for consider-
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF division N. The two portions of the divided ation of the Senate Amendment to
SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. question shall be considered in the order H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropria-
specified by the Chair. If either portion of
2471, HAITI DEVELOPMENT, AC- tions Act, 2022. It provides for a motion
the divided question fails of adoption, then
COUNTABILITY, AND INSTITU- the House shall be considered to have made to concur in the Senate amendment to
TIONAL TRANSPARENCY INITIA- no disposition of the Senate amendment. H.R. 2471 with a House amendment and
TIVE ACT; PROVIDING FOR CON- SEC. 2. The chair of the Committee on Ap- 1 hour of debate equally divided and
SIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 75, EX- propriations and the chair of the Permanent controlled by the chair and ranking
TENSION OF CONTINUING APPRO- Select Committee on Intelligence may insert minority member of the Committee on
PRIATIONS ACT, 2022; AND PRO- in the Congressional Record not later than Appropriations. It divides the question
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF March 11, 2022, such material as they may on adoption of the motion into two
deem explanatory of the Senate amendment
H.R. 6968, SUSPENDING ENERGY and the motion specified in the first section
votes in the order specified by the
IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT of this resolution. chair, and provides that if any portion
Mr. MCGOVERN, from the Com- SEC. 3. Upon adoption of this resolution it of the divided question fails, then the
mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- shall be in order to consider in the House the House shall be considered to have made
leged report (Rept. No. 117–261) on the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) making further no disposition of the Senate amend-
continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ment.
resolution (H. Res. 972) providing for
ending September 30, 2022, and for other pur- The rule also provides for consider-
consideration of Senate amendment to poses. All points of order against consider-
the bill (H.R. 2471) to measure the ation of H.J. Res. 75, the Extension of
ation of the joint resolution are waived. The
progress of post-disaster recovery and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2022,
joint resolution shall be considered as read.
efforts to address corruption, govern- All points of order against provisions in the under a closed rule. It provides 1 hour
ance, rule of law, and media freedoms joint resolution are waived. The previous of debate equally divided and con-
in Haiti; providing for consideration of question shall be considered as ordered on trolled by the chair and ranking minor-
the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 75) mak- the joint resolution and on any amendment ity member of the Committee on Ap-
ing further continuing appropriations thereto to final passage without intervening propriations and provides for one mo-
motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally tion to recommit.
for the fiscal year ending September 30, divided and controlled by the chair and rank-
2022, and for other purpose; and pro- Finally, the rule provides for consid-
ing minority member of the Committee on eration of H.R. 6968, the Suspending
viding for consideration of the bill Appropriations or their respective designees;
(H.R. 6968) to prohibit the importation Energy Imports From Russia Act,
and (2) one motion to recommit.
of energy products of the Russian Fed- SEC. 4. Upon adoption of this resolution it under a closed rule. It provides 1 hour
eration, and for other purposes, which shall be in order to consider in the House the of debate equally divided and con-
was referred to the House Calendar and bill (H.R. 6968) to prohibit the importation of trolled by the chair and ranking minor-
ordered to be printed.
energy products of the Russian Federation, ity member of the Committee on Ways
and for other purposes. All points of order and Means and provides one motion to
f against consideration of the bill are waived. recommit.
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION The bill shall be considered as read. All Madam Speaker, the bills contained
points of order against provisions in the bill in the rule are about investing in our
OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R.
are waived. The previous question shall be
2471, HAITI DEVELOPMENT, AC- considered as ordered on the bill and on any
communities and families here at home
COUNTABILITY, AND INSTITU- amendment thereto to final passage without and living up to our values abroad.
TIONAL TRANSPARENCY INITIA- intervening motion except: (1) one hour of Throughout last summer, House
TIVE ACT; PROVIDING FOR CON- debate equally divided and controlled by the Democrats were hard at work passing
SIDERATION OF H.J. RES. 75, EX- chair and ranking minority member of the appropriations bills funding nearly all
TENSION OF CONTINUING APPRO- Committee on Ways and Means or their re- of the Federal Government to build on
PRIATIONS ACT, 2022; AND PRO- spective designees; and (2) one motion to re- the momentum of our economic recov-
commit. ery. This full-year omnibus is the prod-
VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF
H.R. 6968, SUSPENDING ENERGY The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. uct of extensive bipartisan, bicameral
IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA ACT GARCIA of Texas). The gentleman from negotiations. Both sides have come to-
Massachusetts is recognized for 1 hour. gether to produce an agreement to fund
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, by
direction of the Committee on Rules, I b 0915 the government that I think has re-
call up House Resolution 972 and ask sulted in a very, very good bill.
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, for That means this agreement does not
for its immediate consideration. the purpose of debate only, I yield the include everything I wanted, and I
The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- customary 30 minutes to the gen- know it doesn’t include everything my
lows: tleman from Oklahoma (Mr. COLE), Republican friends wanted. But I
H. RES. 972 who is my good friend, pending which I think, at the end of the day, it is a
Resolved, That upon adoption of this reso- yield myself such time as I may con- good package that is going to benefit
lution it shall be in order to take from the sume. During consideration of this res- the American people.
Speaker’s table the bill (H.R. 2471) to meas- olution, all time yielded is for the pur-
ure the progress of post-disaster recovery
I especially want to recognize Chair-
pose of debate only. woman DELAURO and Ranking Member
and efforts to address corruption, govern-
ance, rule of law, and media freedoms in GENERAL LEAVE GRANGER and thank them for forging a
Haiti, with the Senate amendment thereto, Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I bipartisan path forward. I also want to
and to consider in the House, without inter- ask unanimous consent that all Mem- take this opportunity to thank the in-
vention of any point of order, a motion of- bers be given 5 legislative days to re- credible staff of the Appropriations
fered by the chair of the Committee on Ap- vise and extend their remarks. Committee as well as the incredible
propriations or her designee that the House The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there staff of the Rules Committee—Demo-
concur in the Senate amendment with an
objection to the request of the gen- crats and Republicans—who have
amendment consisting of the text of Rules
Committee Print 117-35. The Senate amend- tleman from Massachusetts? worked tirelessly to bring this legisla-
ment and the motion shall be considered as There was no objection. tion to the floor today. I think most of
read. The motion shall be debatable for one Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, let my colleagues here do not appreciate
hour equally divided and controlled by the me wish a good morning to my good how hard the staff works, and I think
chair and ranking minority member of the friend, Mr. COLE. It feels like just a the American people ought to be proud
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Committee on Appropriations or their re- couple of hours ago I was saying good of those who serve up here in both par-
spective designees. The previous question morning. Let me say to the gentleman ties for their public service.
shall be considered as ordered on the motion
that he looks marvelous for getting no The work of Chairwoman DELAURO
to its adoption without intervening motion.
The question of adoption of the motion shall sleep, and it is great to be with my and Ranking Member GRANGER could
be divided for a separate vote on all of the friend. not have come at a more critical time.
matter proposed to be inserted by the Madam Speaker, the Rules Com- We are at a moment in history that de-
amendment of the House other than divi- mittee met and reported a rule, House mands a strong and confident America,
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H1382 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 9, 2022
and the certainty provided by this om- and that is exactly what this measure they are not high enough, but what-
nibus will allow us to tackle some of does. ever. People have an opportunity to be
our country’s biggest challenges by By encouraging World Trade Organi- able to vote yes or no on that.
helping to support good-paying Amer- zation members to suspend concessions So, I hope that we can get support for
ican jobs; by building ladders of oppor- to Russia; taking steps to review Rus- the rule. I hope that we can get this
tunity for hardworking families; by sia’s international trade status; and, legislation passed today, sent over to
confronting the existential threat of very importantly, by reauthorizing a the Senate, and help the American peo-
climate change; and by investing in strengthened Global Magnitsky Human ple.
lifesaving research into maternal Rights Accountability Act so that the Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
health, mental health, and opioid United States can impose further sanc- ance of my time.
abuse. tions on human rights abusers in Rus- Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I thank
I am proud that we negotiated a gov- sia and around the globe, America is my very good friend, the distinguished
ernment funding package that centers standing up to bullies like Putin who gentleman from Massachusetts, Chair-
on the needs of middle-class and work- think they can invade their way into man MCGOVERN, for yielding me the
ing families, not the rich and not on an empire and blackmail the world customary 30 minutes, and I yield my-
powerful special interests. with their oil. self such time as I may consume.
I am particularly proud that one of I want to commend President Biden Today’s rule covers three items. The
the provisions included in this pack- for taking action to stop the import of first item is a bill to ban imports of
age—funding for a White House Con- Russian energy products into the Russian oil into the United States and
ference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, United States, action which our legis- to impose additional sanctions fol-
and Health—is something that we have lation supports. lowing Russia’s unprovoked and unjust
worked together on in a bipartisan way I should also say, Madam Speaker, invasion of Ukraine.
at the Rules Committee and with that I had kind of hoped that this could Madam Speaker, although I will be
Democrats and Republicans in the Sen- have come up under suspension because supporting this bill, I cannot help but
ate. I like to think there is no dissent on feel that this is a half measure and a
We live in the United States of Amer- what we are doing in this legislation. I missed opportunity to exhibit unified
ica, the richest country in the history am concerned that some of my friends support on immediate steps to confront
of this planet, yet as we gather here on the other side objected to the Putin’s evil regime.
today, close to 40 million of our fellow strengthening of human rights provi- Yesterday, Senators WYDEN and
citizens don’t know where their next sions in the Magnitsky Act. CRAPO introduced a much stronger bill,
Ironically, the language that we are one that was negotiated over the week-
meal is going to come from. There is
using is language very similar to the end by Republicans and Democrats in
not a single congressional district in
executive order put forward by Presi- both the House and the Senate. But
America that is hunger-free. We ought
dent Trump. I don’t agree with him on rather than taking yes for an answer,
to be ashamed of that.
a lot of things—almost nothing—but I the majority instead put forward a
Hunger is a political condition. We
think he was right signing an executive weaker bill, one that is watered down
can solve this problem, but we need to
order to actually strengthen the and leaves loopholes wide enough to
have the political will. This con-
human rights criteria for the
ference, I hope, will provide that polit- drive a tanker through.
Magnitsky legislation. We ought to Banning Russian oil imports in the
ical will.
hold human rights abusers—those wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of
I will remind my colleagues the last
guilty of corruption—accountable. And Ukraine should be an obvious no-
time we had a conference on this sub-
for anybody—anybody—to want to
ject was 54 years ago, so I am looking brainer, just like it ought to be a no-
weaken the standard and to want to let
forward to working with the White brainer for the President to reverse his
some people off the hook, I think, is
House and my colleagues on both sides misguided policies and unleash devel-
unconscionable. So I hope there is a
of the aisle to forge a path forward to opment of America’s own energy
strong bipartisan vote on this.
end hunger in America once and for all. Finally, I want to highlight that our sources. But instead of doing so, the
Madam Speaker, this rule also pro- bipartisan omnibus agreement includes Biden administration continues to dis-
vides for consideration of a short-term $13.6 billion in emergency military, hu- courage domestic oil and gas produc-
continuing resolution that keeps the manitarian, and economic support for tion and is asking every other oil pro-
government funded at current levels Ukraine. This week, the United Na- ducer in the world to make up the dif-
through March 15 to give the United tions has warned that this is the ‘‘fast- ference.
States Senate adequate time to pass est growing refugee crisis in Europe Instead of encouraging our own do-
this full-year omnibus agreement and since World War II.’’ I am proud that mestic sources of energy, which could
get it to President Biden’s desk so that we are taking the moral obligation of meet our needs, critically supply our
he can sign it. humanitarian assistance seriously. allies, and strengthen American energy
And in the wake of the unprovoked Together, these measures, in addition independence, President Biden instead
and horrific invasion of Ukraine at the to the strong leadership shown by is taking steps like unilaterally can-
hands of Russian President Vladimir President Biden working quickly and celing the Keystone XL pipeline, im-
Putin, this Congress is taking urgent in close consultation with our allies posing a ban on new oil and gas explo-
bipartisan action to protect global and partners, have placed enormous ration and leasing on Federal lands,
peace and security and hold Putin’s pressure on President Putin and his and telling hardworking Americans
corrupt regime accountable. corrupt oligarchs to end this war. I who are struggling to buy expensive
Yesterday, I co-chaired a meeting of hope that he does that immediately. gasoline to instead go buy more expen-
the Tom Lantos Human Rights Com- The final thing that I am going to sive electric vehicles.
mission. We had a detailed discussion say is to echo what I began with. This Failing to develop America’s energy
about what was happening in Ukraine bill is not perfect through the eyes of resources is a missed opportunity,
and the fact that what is happening has anybody, whether you are a liberal Madam Speaker, just like this bill. We
risen to the level of war crimes, and Democrat like me or whether you are a had a better option. I wish we had
there needs to be accountability. conservative Republican, and this rule taken it.
We have all seen the awful pictures allows people to express their support Our second item today is an omnibus
and the awful videos, Madam Speaker, and their lack of support for different appropriations package covering the
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families gunned down, apartment parts of this bill very clearly. remainder of the year 2022, and the
buildings bombed, and the indiscrimi- Some think that the defense section third is a short-term continuing resolu-
nate use of force, yet still the people of is too high. I personally do. But we tion to ensure continuity of govern-
Ukraine are courageously standing up have an opportunity to be able to vote ment funding while Congress processes
for freedom. Congress, the Biden ad- yes or no on that. a larger bill.
ministration, and the people of the Some think that the investments in Madam Speaker, it has been a very,
United States must stand with them, domestic spending are too high. I think very long road to get to this point. But
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March 9, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1383
today, the House will act on a bipar- nately, last year, President Biden pro- not the bill I would have written had I
tisan, bicameral appropriations pack- posed a budget that underfunded na- written it alone. But at the end of the
age. As vice ranking member of the Ap- tional defense, repeating the mistake day, it represents a good balance for
propriations Committee, I am encour- of the Obama-Biden administration of Congress and for the Nation.
aged that we are finally nearing com- chronically underfunding our national Before I finish, I want to congratu-
pletion of this fundamental function of defense. But earlier this year, the late my friends and colleagues on the
Congress to provide full-year funding House Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Committee, particu-
for the government. the Senate Armed Services Committee, larly Chairwoman ROSA DELAURO and
We are here today in a time of great both controlled by Democrats, worked Ranking Member KAY GRANGER, with-
crisis. Two weeks ago, Russian Presi- together in a bipartisan manner to au- out whom we would not have gotten to
dent Vladimir Putin launched an thorize an increase in defense spending where we are today.
unprovoked and unjust war against of $25 billion over the fiscal year. I also want to extend my huge thank
Ukraine, its democratic neighbor to In today’s bill, appropriators actu- you, as the chairman did, to the Appro-
the west. Inflation has skyrocketed to ally went beyond that, ensuring a ro- priations Committee staff and to the
a 40-year high, and due to the adminis- bust increase in defense spending. This Rules staff on both sides of the aisle.
tration’s reckless action, gas prices increase is necessary to ensure that These staffers are truly unsung heroes
have continued to soar month after our Armed Forces will have the funds who spent many long and sleepless
month after month. needed to maintain our readiness and nights over the preceding weeks, in-
b 0930 to procure the weapons and assets the cluding this past weekend. We would
warfighters of tomorrow will need to not be here today without them.
Yet despite these crises, the Members
continue to succeed on the battlefield. Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
of this body have worked together and
This includes increases for defense ance of my time.
have found common ground on today’s
assets based in my own home State of Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I
legislation.
As I have said many times, one of the Oklahoma. If the present crisis in yield myself such time as I may con-
most consequential duties of a Member Ukraine shows us nothing else, it sume.
of Congress is to fund the government should show us the need to continue to Let me just say that I have enormous
and keep it open and operating. At a adequately fund our national defense. respect for the gentleman from Okla-
time of crisis, this is more important Finally, the fourth condition that homa. There is this old adage that says
than ever. needed to be met was that the proposed you don’t have to agree on everything
Last year, the Appropriations Com- levels of nondefense spending had to to agree on something. Much of what
mittee passed all 12 appropriations come down. In the initial set of bills he cited is something that I think we
bills out of committee and succeeded in that passed the House, my friends in can all agree on: investments in med-
passing nine of those bills across the the majority sought to include a 17 per- ical research, support for the NIH, in-
floor before the August recess. Unfor- cent increase in nondefense spending. vestments in trying to find ways to
tunately, these bills were partisan and While that no doubt included many manage and cure cancer. All of those
did not receive support from any Re- worthy items, Republicans generally things are incredibly important, and I
publican Members, with good reason. felt that 17 percent was excessive, par- think they bring us together.
Today, we are 5 months into fiscal ticularly given the substantial needs Some of the things he said I disagree
year 2022, and despite the long process, on the defense side of the ledger. with. I believe it is a mistake to deny
the path forward has always been clear. But the bill before us today increases women their legal reproductive rights,
It was clear last July, just as it is clear nondefense spending by just 6.7 per- and I think the defense budget is way
today. cent, which will allow for increased in- too big. Spending more on something
In order to reach a final bipartisan, vestments in key areas while also en- doesn’t necessarily get you a better re-
bicameral deal on appropriations for suring that we will continue to be re- sult. We need to spend more efficiently
FY 2022, four conditions needed to be sponsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. and more effectively. We have a mili-
met. I am greatly pleased that this bill Of course, this 6.7 percent ensures tary budget that is so bloated, that is
meets all four. that there will be significant and im- so excessive, so filled with cost over-
The first is to ensure that the long- portant investments in nondefense runs, that even Dr. Strangelove would
standing, bipartisan pro-life provisions areas across the government. I am par- be impressed. We need to do better.
historically included in the appropria- ticularly pleased that the National In- Having said that, I am aware that we
tions bills are restored. These include stitutes of Health will receive a robust have to be able to deal on legislation
the Hyde amendment, which prevents $2.25 billion increase, which will help within the reality that we live in. We
Federal dollars from being used to pay advance medical science, help address have a 50/50 Senate; we have a majority
for abortions, except in limited cases of future pandemics, and continue our here in the House, not as big as I would
rape, incest, and the life of the mother, progress toward defeating the scourge like. Hopefully, that changes in No-
and the Weldon amendment, which pro- of cancer. vember. But the bottom line is, we
tects American doctors, nurses, and We are also funding ARPA-H, one of have to work with what we have. I
other healthcare professionals from the President’s highest priorities, at $1 think that is what has occurred here.
participating in and providing abor- billion in its first year of operation. I We continue to hear this claim that
tions if they have a moral objection. am also encouraged that this bill pro- President Biden’s climate policies are
The inclusion of these and other vides significant increases for TRIO somehow to blame for the latest spike
broadly popular provisions was and is and GEAR UP, two programs that are in gas prices. I think we need to just
an absolute necessity for this bill to close to my heart, that help first-gen- set the record straight here. Domestic
have any chance of becoming law. I am eration students go to college. These energy production is up, it is rising,
personally deeply grateful that they are just a few of the programs that I and it is approaching records. There
are included in this package. could point to that are worthy of in- are over 9,000 approved drilling permits
Second, partisan policy riders that creased funding and investment, and the oil industry is not using. The truth
were included in the bills that passed this bill has done that. is that changes in domestic energy pol-
the House last summer needed to come The legislation before us today rep- icy often take years to impact global
out. These are provisions that both resents a negotiated compromise be- energy markets.
sides did not agree to and do not enjoy tween the House and the Senate and Instead, what is happening here is oil
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bipartisan consensus. At the end of the obviously between Democrats and Re- companies are using Putin’s war as an
day, we needed to reach an agreement publicans. Given that, it is a com- excuse to jack up prices at the pump
on these items to move forward. Fortu- promise. That means neither side got even more. They argue for looser regu-
nately, each of these provisions has everything that they wanted. As I have lations, cheaper drilling, and more pol-
been removed. often said, in a compromise, you have lution.
Third, the level of defense spending to give up more than you would like to This is Putin’s price hike. Quite
absolutely needed to come up. Unfortu- get less than you want. Indeed, this is frankly, at this time of global crisis, I
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H1384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 9, 2022
would like to appeal to the patriotism If industry did start to ramp up production Belarusian goods. Congress is empow-
of Big Oil in this country to not make from federal leases, the overall increase to ered to disapprove any Presidential de-
record profits their priority, to actu- the total US supply would likely be mar- cision to restore normal trade relations
ginal. In 2020, public lands and waters only
ally put the American people’s interest accounted for 22% and 11% of oil and gas pro-
or to remove the import ban.
and, in fact, the global interest first. duction, respectively. The vast majority of
It further closes yet another avenue
Let’s not fool ourselves that greed isn’t oil and gas resources are beneath state and for Russian participation in the world
at play here. private lands—not public lands or federal economy by revoking most-favored-na-
Madam Speaker, I include in the waters. tion status dealing with exports as well
RECORD a March 4 opinion article writ- With the facts laid bare, we see the fossil- as its participation in world trade and
ten by the House Natural Resources fuel industry’s crocodile tears for what they denying Belarus membership.
are—the same old demands for cheaper leases Further, with this ban on Russian en-
Committee Chairman RAUL GRIJALVA, and looser regulations they’ve been peddling
entitled ‘‘Oil and gas lobbyists are ergy imports, Americans will no longer
for decades. These pleas have nothing to do
using Ukraine to push for a drilling with countering Putin’s invasion or stabi-
be contributing to Putin’s most violent
free-for-all in the U.S.’’ lizing gas prices, and everything to do with actions. He is a war criminal. He is
making oil and gas development as easy and killing children.
[From the Guardian, Mar. 4, 2022] Let me also rise in support of H.R.
profitable as possible.
OIL AND GAS LOBBYISTS ARE USING UKRAINE The US is the world’s top oil and gas pro- 2471. I call it working Americans re-
TO PUSH FOR A DRILLING FREE-FOR-ALL IN ducer. Doubling down on fossil fuels is a false sponse act. It is an appropriation that
THE US solution that only perpetuates the problems deals with healthcare and education. It
(By Raúl M Grijalva) that got us here in the first place.
And quite frankly, we can’t afford to main-
deals with climate change, and it also
Last week, we all watched in horror as deals with responding to the needs of
Vladimir Putin launched a deadly, cata- tain the status quo. In its newest report the
strophic attack on Ukraine, violating inter- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change the American people.
national treaties across the board. Most of (IPCC) issued its most dire warning yet on The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
us swiftly condemned his actions and pledged the rapidly accelerating climate crisis. If we time of the gentlewoman has expired.
support for the Ukrainian people whose fail to enact major mitigation efforts, like Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I
country, homes and lives are under attack. curbing fossil-fuel development, both quick- yield the gentlewoman from Texas an
But the fossil-fuel industry had a different ly and substantially, we will ‘‘miss a brief additional 30 seconds.
take. They saw an opportunity—and a and rapidly closing window of opportunity to Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker,
shameless one at that—to turn violence and secure a livable and sustainable future for it additionally responds to the poten-
bloodshed into an oil and gas propaganda- all’’.
Fortunately, there is a path forward that tial of those that are facing domestic
generating scheme. Within hours, industry- violence and sexual assault with the
led talking points were oozing into press re- simultaneously cuts the lifeline to fossil-fuel
despots like Putin, stabilizes energy prices Violence Against Women Act that I led
leases, social media and opinion pieces, tell-
ing us the key to ending this crisis is to im- here at home, and creates a safer, more sus- and had passed in this House just a few
mediately hand US public lands and waters tainable planet. We must wean ourselves off months ago.
our oil and gas dependence and make trans- So let me say that this is a job well
over to fossil-fuel companies and quickly
formational investments in cleaner renew- done to all of those who have been
loosen the regulatory strings.
able energy technologies, like those in the
Our top priority must be ending Putin’s working but let us do this in a bipar-
hostilities, but as chair of the US House Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Build
Back Better Act and the Competes Act, and tisan manner.
committee on natural resources, I feel duty- The people of Ukraine cry out in
we must do it now.
bound to set the record straight. We can’t let pain. Russia is now brought to its
The fossil-fuel industry has had hold of the
the fossil-fuel industry scare us into a do- knees. Let’s make sure that Vladimir
microphone for far too long. It’s time we let
mestic drilling free-for-all that is neither the facts speak for themselves.
economically warranted nor environ-
Putin never stands on the world stage
mentally sound. Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I again.
Despite industry’s claims to the contrary, yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield
President Biden has not hobbled US oil and from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). myself such time as I may consume to
gas development. In fact, much to my deep Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, just quickly respond to my friend’s
disappointment and protest, this administra- let me thank the gentleman for yield- comment about the energy industry.
tion actually approved more US drilling per- ing, and let me add my appreciation to I am from an energy district. I am
mits per month in 2021 than President Chairwoman ROSA DELAURO and Rank- from an energy State. My constituents
Trump did during each of the first three and their forebearers have produced
ing Member GRANGER and admit that
years of his presidency. Before the pandemic,
oil and gas production from public lands and the world now sees this every day in more energy than they have consumed
waters reached an all-time high, and the cur- American newspapers and around the for over a hundred years, and they have
rent administration has done little to change world: the pillage, the desperation, the shared it all over the world, but par-
that trajectory over the last 13 months. violence, and the death of women and ticularly across this country.
Fossil-fuel companies and their backers in children in Ukraine, the worst humani- Thank God for them because, quite
Congress also profess that more drilling on tarian crisis that we have seen in a frankly, what Americans would be pay-
public lands and waters would lower gas century and the absolute outrage of ing at the pump now would be astro-
prices for Americans. But if that’s true, why nomical were it not for them. Since
the killing machine that Putin is and
hasn’t record oil extraction from both fed-
eral and non-federal lands over the last dec- the terroristic acts. He is a war crimi- 2005, American oil production has dou-
ade done anything to consistently lower, or nal. bled, and that is due to their ingenuity.
at least stabilize, prices at the pump? I rise today to support H.R. 6968 and Frankly, we pay almost the lowest en-
The fact is that crude oil is a volatile glob- to thank my friend from Texas (Mr. ergy prices in the world.
al commodity. Worldwide supply, demand, DOGGETT) for joining us together to be I am sorry, but to put all of these en-
and unpredictable events—like wars—influ- able to move forward on language that ergy price increases off on Vladimir
ence the price of gas, not the current admin- works to hold Russia accountable for Putin—he is certainly responsible for
istration’s decision to approve a few new those this week, but the reality is, for
its invasion of Ukraine by denying its
leases or permits.
Even if we take industry’s claims at face preferential trade treatment and seek- the entire Biden Presidency, energy
value, nothing is keeping fossil-fuel compa- ing to remove it from the World Trade prices have been going up. That is be-
nies from more drilling on public lands right Organization. cause the President, on his very first
now. The oil industry already controls at This legislation bans Russian energy day, effectively declared war on the
least 26m acres of public land and is sitting imports and suspends preferential fossil fuel industry. He canceled the
on more than 9,000 approved drilling permits trade treatment with Belarus. I was at Keystone Pipeline. He changed the
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
they’re not using. the border of Belarus as it was hosting leasing and drilling rules on Federal
They have a similarly gratuitous surplus
30,000 to 40,000 Russian troops and its lands. The hostility has simply been
offshore, where nearly 75% of their active
federal oil and gas leases, covering over 8m reckless attitude of incarcerating and overwhelming.
acres, have yet to produce a single drop. Any detaining its own political opposition. Now, where does that put us? The
new leases issued today wouldn’t produce The head of Belarus is no better. United States is going to Iran to ask
anything of value for years, or even decades The President receives the ability to them to increase energy production,
in some cases. further increase tariffs on Russian or the largest sponsor of state tyranny.
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March 9, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1385
We are sending representatives to logged. I would have loved to have sub- the oil company price hike, and as we
Venezuela. Why don’t we just call peo- mitted an amendment to appropriate try to figure out how to alleviate the
ple in Houston and Oklahoma City and some additional dollars, $2 billion, to burden on the American people, which
Cheyenne? We have got lots of places the Department of Veterans Affairs so we are trying to do, we also have to fig-
that know how to produce energy and that they could relieve this backlog for ure out how we do it in a way where
have been doing it cheaply, efficiently, our veterans. And, in fact, the budget any savings or any tax incentives that
fairly, and cleanly for decades. neutrality requirements in the Medi- we might provide are actually passed
The reality is, let’s not attack them. care physician fee schedule could have on to the consumer because the oil in-
They are our salvation in a time of been waived, and we could have done so dustry in this country, the big oil com-
trial, and they are our national secu- with the excess funds in the Provider panies, have a history of price gouging,
rity moving forward. I feel very strong- Relief Fund and given our frontline and the fact that they are doing it now
ly about that. health personnel a little bit of a break I think is unconscionable.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to from the fact that they have been on Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. BUR- the front lines battling the coronavirus ance of my time.
GESS), my good friend and distin- for 2 years, and what do they get for Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield
guished member of the Rules Com- that effort? A pay cut. myself such time as I may consume. I
mittee and the Energy and Commerce The SPEAKER pro tempore. The will refrain from correcting my friend
Committee. time of the gentleman has expired. again and just send him something to
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield read.
b 0945 If we defeat the previous question, I
the gentleman from Texas an addi-
Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I tional 1 minute. will offer an amendment to the rule to
also am from an energy State, and I Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, the bring up H.R. 6858, the American En-
want to associate myself with the re- Congressional Budget Office did pro- ergy Independence from Russia Act for
marks of Ranking Member COLE as far vide to the Budget Committee, of immediate consideration.
as the energy industry is concerned. which I am also a member, a list of the Two weeks ago, Russian President
Quite correct, the hostility of the top 20 agencies that are overfunded Vladimir Putin shocked the world by
Biden administration to American en- with funds that have been appropriated launching a full-scale invasion of
ergy was front and center from day one over the last 2 years. The totality of Ukraine. In doing so, Mr. Putin re-
when the President took the oath of of- those 20 accounts is $340 billion. There vealed his true self, and that is a bully,
fice, and it is only the last 6 weeks that were moneys available. A lot of things a thug, a tyrant bent on subverting his
we have seen the hostility from Putin that are in this bill could have been democratic neighbor to the west. In
and Russia, but the seeds were set for offset if we had simply taken the time challenging not only Ukraine, but also
record high energy prices because of to do it. I will say, since I am a mem- the rest of the civilized world, Mr.
the activities of the Biden administra- ber of the authorizing committee, Putin’s powerful weapon is not his
tion and the Democratic leadership in going forward our authorizing commit- army, potent though that may be, but
this Congress, quite frankly. tees have to do their work. They have the dependence of much of the rest of
But I am here today to speak about to do the study because we can’t expect the world on Russian oil and gas. Al-
the spending bill that is in front of us. it to all happen at the Appropriations ready he has begun to put the squeeze
Halfway through the fiscal year, we fi- Committee at the eleventh hour. on democratic states seeking to chal-
nally have the appropriations bills for Madam Speaker, I think it is impor- lenge his invasion of Ukraine by
the spending for this year, and I am tant that people be able to see where threatening to cut off their supplies of
grateful to see a copy on the Speaker’s those moneys exist. The results of the energy.
desk. That is the only copy that I have The American Energy Independence
study, which was compiled by the Con-
seen. Certainly, we didn’t have a copy from Russia Act would address the
gressional Budget Office, are contained
last night in the Rules Committee. challenge and would reposition the
on a spreadsheet and can be found at:
I am gratified to know that there ac- United States to be energy self-suffi-
https://burgess.house.gov/
tually does exist a copy of this spend- cient. It would immediately approve
UploadedFiles/COB-UnspentCOVID.pdf.
ing bill; but, once again, no Member of Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I the Keystone XL pipeline, would re-
the people’s House has really had the start oil and gas leasing on Federal
yield myself such time as I may con-
opportunity to look at and weigh in on, lands and waters, and would expand
sume.
no ability to amend last night in the I want to correct the record on one liquid natural gas exports at the mo-
Rules Committee, no ability to really thing. The gentleman said he didn’t get ment Europe needs the most. In doing
affect this massive spending bill that is so, it would ensure that America re-
a copy of the text of what we are con-
mains energy independent and can act
in front of us. sidering here today. It was put into his
I planned to offer several amend- to address Russian aggression without
Dropbox, and he could have downloaded
risking economic damage.
ments to improve this bill. The public it. It was emailed to his staff. It was Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous
health mandates are easing around the posted online. Yeah, we didn’t print off consent to insert the text of my
country, but the Department of Trans- a 3,000-page bill because I believe in amendment in the RECORD along with
portation still requires patrons to wear saving trees. But it was available, and extraneous material immediately prior
masks on public transportation, on air- I just want to point that out for the to the previous question.
lines. This could and should be re- record. I will also just say—and again The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
scinded, and this was an opportunity to with great respect for my two col- objection to the request of the gen-
do just that. leagues on the Rules Committee—I tleman from Oklahoma?
As Mr. COLE mentioned, we are expe- don’t share their enthusiasm about big There was no objection.
riencing some of the highest gas prices oil companies. I just don’t. They are Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4
in over a decade, maybe even in this making all-time-high record profits minutes to the gentleman from Texas
generation, and no funds in this bill while Americans are paying more at (Mr. CRENSHAW), my good friend and a
should be expended to restrict the oper- the gas pump. distinguished member of the Energy
ation or development of oil and gas I will remind my friends that when and Commerce Committee, to further
pipelines to get that vitally needed en- Donald Trump was President, we had explain our amendment.
ergy out of places like the Permian unemployment at about 14.9 percent, Mr. CRENSHAW. Madam Speaker, I
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Basin to population centers—Dallas, which was terrible. It is now down to rise to oppose the previous question so
Houston, Oklahoma City—where they 3.8 percent, which is driving up de- we can immediately consider the
can be consumed or where they can be mand. Nobody is questioning the fact American Energy Independence from
liquefied and exported to other coun- that there is a supply-and-demand Russia Act, led by my friend and the
tries. problem here. But we also ought to un- Republican leader of the Energy and
Federal agencies are behind, vet- derstand that part of these price hikes, Commerce Committee, CATHY MCMOR-
erans’ services are severely back- in addition to the Putin price hike, is RIS RODGERS.
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H1386 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 9, 2022
This week our President, our Amer- energy supply, realizes it may just be [From Newsweek, Mar. 4, 2022]
ican President, asked Venezuela and the right time to exercise his impe- ‘LITTLE EVIDENCE’ KEYSTONE PIPELINE
Saudi Arabia to increase oil produc- rialistic ambitions and retake the old WOULD LEVEL PRICES DESPITE GOP CLAIMS
tion, asked them to boost their output Soviet territory of Ukraine, leaving (By Alexandra Hutzler)
so that American consumers wouldn’t thousands of innocents dead and a Republicans are hitting President Joe
see a spike in gas prices. Western world order completely upend- Biden over his decision to cancel the Key-
It seems like a noble cause at first ed. stone XL pipeline as gas prices rise across
glance, but I couldn’t help to think to the country in the wake of Russia’s invasion
We are all left thinking the same
of Ukraine.
myself what a strange thing to ask be- thought, wouldn’t it be better if it was Former Vice President Mike Pence said
cause surely he knows that we can also America supplying Europe its energy? last week ‘‘gas prices have risen across the
boost domestic production right here Wouldn’t it be better if Europe wasn’t country because of this Administration’s war
at home. Surely he knows that domes- held hostage to the whims of a dic- on energy—shutting down the Keystone
tic production supports American jobs, tator? Wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t Pipeline, shutting down oil and gas leases in
and surely he knows that domestic pro- have to wonder where the extra oil this country—while they were incomprehen-
duction is cleaner, by far, than foreign sibly green-lighting the Nord Stream 2 deal
would come from after we rightfully
production; far better for the environ- for the Russians.’’
ban Russian imports? Senator Tim Scott told Fox News on
ment than Venezuelan oil unless that Most of us are thinking that, of Wednesday canceling the pipeline was ‘‘cata-
Socialist dictator suddenly became a course. Unfortunately, those in the ma- strophic’’ and that ‘‘the prices we’re seeing
devout green energy disciple without jority, those in power are not. I pray today are reflective of his decisions a year
any of us knowing it. that you start. ago, not reflective of the conflict that start-
Surely President Biden knows that We should defeat the previous ques- ed days ago.’’
energy demand doesn’t just disappear tion, pass the American Energy Inde- But James Glynn, a senior research schol-
because you tell middle-class Ameri- ar at Columbia University’s Center on Global
pendence from Russia Act and pursue Energy Policy, said the Keystone pipeline—
cans to go buy a Tesla. Surely he true American energy dominance. even if operational—likely wouldn’t have
knows all of this, right? The answer is, Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I had an impact on the global energy markets.
of course, yes, he does know that, and yield myself such time as I may con- ‘‘There is little evidence to back up the ar-
the entire Democratic Party knows sume. gument that Keystone XL would have avert-
this. It is impossible not to know these Give me a break. I hope my friends ed some of this price spike,’’ Glynn told
things because these things are called know better, and I hope they know Newsweek. ‘‘The Keystone pipeline capacity
hard facts. They are indisputable. what drives the price of oil. They talk is less than one-tenth of Russian oil ex-
Those facts are simple and worth re- ports.’’
as if there is just one little switch you ‘‘Even if Keystone XL was filled with fully
peating. can turn on. I hear them talking, just additional Canadian export capacity, which
Number 1: The world will demand at bring the Keystone pipeline back on- would have been an unlikely scenario, it
least 50 percent more energy in the line. By the way, it was never built, would not balance the global oil markets
next 50 years. That is a fact. and it was years away from bringing where the price of oil is set through a global
Number 2: The energy demanded will any oil to the United States—foreign arbitrage of the last marginal available bar-
be reliable energy; electricity that oil, by the way; Canada is another rel,’’ Glynn continued.
turns on when you want it, heat that The current national average for a gallon
country. Even if it were built, we are of gasoline is $3.837, according to the Amer-
keeps you alive in the winter, and air
told it may lower prices by maybe one ican Automobile Association (AAA). That’s
conditioning that keeps you cool in the
cent a gallon and lock us into the same an increase of over 20 cents from the na-
summer.
Fact number 3: Solar and wind can- dependence on fossil fuels that got us tional average reported the week before.
into this mess to begin with. The White House has also emphasized that
not and will not ever provide this reli- the Keystone Pipeline was never running,
We have been arguing for years with
able energy, no matter how often you and was less than 10 percent completed when
worship and pray to the deities of wind my friends to make the transition
the project was shut down, amid criticism
turbines and solar panels; proudly away from fossil fuels to greener, from the Republican Party.
made, of course, by the Communist cleaner energy so every time there is a ‘‘The Keystone Pipeline has never been
genocidal country of China. world crisis we are not having this dis- operational,’’ press secretary Jen Psaki told
Fact number 4: American production cussion, but instead they continue to reporters on Thursday ‘‘It would take years
be in the pockets of the oil companies. to have any impact. I know a number of
of oil and gas is far cleaner than any
Follow the money. Follow the money. members of Congress have suggested that,
other country, except maybe Canada. but that is a proposed solution that has no
These are indisputable facts. So Look where the oil companies are put-
relationship or would have no impact on
where does that leave us? For anyone ting their money.
what the problem is we, here, all agree is an
wise in the ways of common sense, it By the way, when they say we should issue.’’
leads to one conclusion. It is in the do more drilling, the oil companies The pipeline project would have expanded
American interest to pursue absolute now have been provided 9,000 new drill- an existing conduit for transporting tar-
American energy dominance. If you ing permits on public lands. Much to sands oil from Canada through the U.S. to
don’t believe me, let’s outline the al- my disappointment, the Biden adminis- the Gulf Coast. After years of legal chal-
tration is actually outpacing even the lenges and environmental activism to shut
ternative. Let’s imagine we go the way
Trump administration in approving the project down, the company behind it offi-
of Germany and invest half a trillion cially halted construction in June 2021 after
dollars in building out unreliable wind new drilling permits on public lands Biden revoked a key permit.
and solar production, only to watch and water. So give me a break. ‘‘The Keystone pipeline is not a viable so-
our energy prices rise faster than any- Here is the reality, and let me spell it lution because you can’t build a pipeline in
where else and yet still be forced to out for my friends; and I think they an hour, right?’’ David Sacco, a practitioner
turn on coal plants and import Russian know better, but again it is politics as in residence in the finance program at the
gas because your green energy just usual: Oil is a global commodity. University of New Haven, told Newsweek.
Prices rise when supply chains are dis- ‘‘The company that was building it shut it
doesn’t work the way you wanted it to.
down a year ago. So that’s not viable. But I
The rest of Europe wasn’t all that rupted or demand is interrupted, like
think the argument that our energy policies
different. They increased their reliance we saw during COVID. Prices rise when have been a pretty significant contribution
on Russian gas from 10 percent to over oil-producing countries launch desta- to this [crisis] are certainly valid from an
40 percent now, and I cannot help but bilizing invasions; and, yes, when oil economic standpoint.’’
notice that the Democratic Party companies think they can use either of Sacco said there’s an argument to be made
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
seems intent on pursuing this very these as an excuse to jack up the that the U.S. and other nations purchasing
path, canceling leases and pipelines, in- prices, they do. oil from Russia has ‘‘allowed their economy
Madam Speaker, I include in the to strengthen, has allowed Putin to basically
creasing regulations, chastising our in-
fund his military and expansion policies.’’
dustry. If no one else here noticed, RECORD a March 4 article from News- In addition to rising prices, Republicans
someone in Russia certainly did. week entitled, ‘‘’Little Evidence’ Key- have hit the Biden administration for energy
Fast forward to 2022, and Putin, with stone Pipeline Would Level Prices De- policies they say make the U.S. more de-
his newfound leverage over European spite GOP Claims.’’ pendent on foreign oil.
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March 9, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1387
‘‘Biden has given up the best defense we sanctions arising out of the Ways and Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, to fur-
had against Putin’s evil vision for the Means Trade Subcommittee is the abil- ther discuss the need for America to be
world—energy independence,’’ Senator Mar- ity to respond with reference to the energy independent, I yield 2 minutes
sha Blackburn said in a statement this week. to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr.
World Trade Organization and Russia.
‘‘We need to make America energy inde-
The week before last, I introduced STAUBER), a member of the Transpor-
pendent again. It’s time to divest from Rus-
sian energy and stop funding Putin’s war, with Mr. BLUMENAUER, the chairman of tation and Infrastructure Committee
and reauthorize the Keystone Pipeline.’’ that subcommittee, legislation con- and my good friend.
One energy proposal that has received bi- cerning the trade status of the Russian Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, I
partisan support on Capitol Hill is to ban Federation. rise today in opposition to the previous
Russian oil imports. House Speaker Nancy The legislation that I introduced yes- question so this Democrat-controlled
Pelosi said Thursday she was ‘‘all for’’ the terday that this rule puts into effect is House can finally do the right thing:
proposal. different from that, and I will discuss pass the American Energy Independ-
While Biden has said ‘‘nothing is off the that in the course of our consideration ence from Russia Act.
table,’’ the administration has so far resisted of the bill. This morning, Americans are seeing
slapping Moscow’s energy sector with sanc- even higher gas prices on their way to
But it continues to urge the expelling
tions because it could further drive up prices
of Russia from the World Trade Organi- work than they saw on last night’s
at the gas pumps.
Sacco said he believed gas prices could go zation, which I think we should do to commute home. Sadly, tonight, tomor-
up to $5 per gallon as the Russia-Ukraine cri- attempt to isolate as completely as we row morning, next week, and next
sis unfolds. can Russia from any benefits from the month, they are going to see the same
Biden has said it’s a priority for his team world economy. episode play out on those commutes to
to ease the financial burden on Americans as To see now one American-owned and from work over and over again.
prices rise. The administration just an- company closing down hundreds of its With the cost of living and inflation
nounced it is coordinating with other na- locations throughout Russia, one over the last year spiraling out of con-
tions to release 60 million barrels of oil in trol, the last thing American families
American company, including some of
global reserves, half of which would come need is $7 to $8 a gallon gasoline.
from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. the big oil companies withdrawing
from the Russian Federation, they are Due to the policies of President
‘‘The American people understand that de- Biden, we are more reliant on Putin
fending democracy and liberty is never with- acting in a way that supports what we
out cost,’’ Biden said last month while need to do—put Russia in an economic and Russian energy than in recent his-
speaking on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. vise. tory.
I believe that there is much more I agree that we must immediately
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I halt the import of Russian oil and
also urge all my colleagues to do a lit- that we need to accomplish but that we
respond today on the number one issue LNG. However, it is a false narrative
tle research and look at the profits of pushed by President Biden that it
Big Oil in this country. Look at what on the world agenda, and that is what
is happening in Ukraine and what we should be an unavoidable hit to Ameri-
they are making. While Americans are cans’ pocketbooks. This was avoidable,
paying more at the pump, their execu- can do to prevent it.
Now, I understand some people con- and it didn’t have to be this way.
tives are making more and more and Since Biden’s first day in office, he
more. You can defend Big Oil if you tinue to have their own ideological
has forced executive orders and sup-
want. And I get it, maybe there is some agenda to defend and ignore the cli-
ported policies that have made us more
benefit politically to doing that. Again, mate crisis, deny climate science, and
dependent on Russian energy. These
follow the money. But I have to tell promote more and more fossil fuels.
They choose the Keystone pipeline, policy choices are directly to blame for
you, I think people are sick of this. We the increased pain at the pump that
have seen this movie before. which is exactly 8 percent completed.
middle-class Americans are feeling.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to It uses the dirtiest form of oil in the Take, for example, the opening line
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DOG- tar sands. of an AP article 2 weeks ago: ‘‘The
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
GETT). Biden administration is delaying deci-
time of the gentleman has expired.
sions on new oil and gas drilling on
b 1000 Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I
Federal land.’’
yield the gentleman from Texas an ad- Sure, some of these leases are not
Mr. DOGGETT. This rule makes
ditional 1 minute. utilized, but that is because they are
proper for our consideration legislation
Mr. DOGGETT. From the cold tar
that I have offered to respond to the tied up in litigation from far left anti-
sands of Canada, completing the Key-
brutal aggression of Vladimir Putin de- jobs groups or because they are await-
stone pipeline will not save one ing delayed approvals from the Biden
stroying, hour by hour, Ukraine, and
Ukrainian life nor will the adoption of administration.
its people, with death and destruction.
the rest of their agenda. So, instead of approving rights-of-
I am pleased to hear from the gen- Let me just say, I have only one
tleman from Oklahoma that he sup- way, following the science, and putting
agenda in this matter, and that is to our oil and gas developers to work, Joe
ports this legislation because it will be respond to the aggression and do all we
stronger if we are united in sending Biden is making American families suf-
can to try to stop the brutal attacks fer.
this message. unprovoked on the Ukrainian people.
Like so many Americans, I have On behalf of the American people, the
I am very pleased that this legisla- Ukrainian people, and just basic com-
watched the horrors in Ukraine. I have tion that I introduced yesterday incor-
seen the people standing with their mon sense——
porates the good work of Chairman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
blue and yellow Ukraine banners and MCGOVERN on the Global Magnitsky time of the gentleman has expired.
flags on the steps of the State capitol Act. Mr. COLE. I yield the gentleman
in Austin day after day, rain and shine, That is legislation that fits so well from Minnesota an additional 30 sec-
to express their concern. with what I have been urging about onds.
And like them, and like so many of Russia because it combats human Mr. STAUBER.—I joined my col-
us of all political persuasions, we won- rights abuses there and all over the leagues CATHY MCMORRIS RODGERS and
der what we can do to prevent what is world. BRUCE WESTERMAN in offering an
happening that we see played out, in He has strengthened the provisions of American energy solution.
real time, on our televisions? the Global Magnitsky Act, which While Biden’s solution is to buy oil
Well, in my case, it has been advo- would have expired at the end of this from Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, our
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
cating that we get all of the weapons year. By incorporating it, it fits well solution is to put blue-collar workers,
that Ukrainians need to defend them- with our agenda to respond to Russian American workers, to work here at
selves to them yesterday. Immediately. aggression and human rights abuses home and develop our God-given nat-
But to recognize that to put a that are going on as people are being ural resources.
squeeze on the Russian empire, we murdered as we speak today. We have the ability to bring costs
should respond with the most effective The SPEAKER pro tempore. The down by unleashing the economic en-
sanctions that we can. One of those time of the gentleman has expired. gine of American energy production.
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H1388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 9, 2022
We can do that by defeating this pre- focus, rather than on further drilling, has launch of his Cancer Moonshot pro-
vious question and passing the Amer- caused some frustration within the federal gram. I mean, the issue when it comes
ican Energy Independence from Russia government, with Jennifer Granholm, the to curing cancer is not whether we can.
US energy secretary, stating that ‘‘the oil
Act. The issue is when we will do it. That
and gas companies are not flipping the
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I switch as quickly as the demand requires.’’ depends on investments. That depends
yield myself such time as I may con- A glut of new oil drilling has made the US on supporting innovation and medical
sume. awash with oil in recent years, turning the research. This bill does that. That is a
We are all trying to figure out a way country into a top-level exporter as well as good thing. It should bring us all to-
to alleviate the burden of energy costs domestic supplier, but this has kept prices gether.
on consumers. I mean, it is brutal for a low to the displeasure of investors. As we have talked about, we are
‘‘A lot of this has been driven by investor going to deal with a bill to help
lot of families in this country. sentiment,’’ said Helima Croft, head of glob-
Listening to some of the speeches Ukraine, especially with humanitarian
al commodity strategy at RBC Capital Mar-
here, I kind of feel like we should have kets, of the current reluctance to expand
assistance, given the refugee crisis. We
an amendment that would require production. ‘‘They don’t want them to spoil are going to strengthen the Global
Members of Congress to take a basic the party.’’ Magnitsky law so that we have strong-
course in economics to understand how The situation has left the White House in er human rights language, which some
supply and demand works. an awkward position with its commitments of my friends on the other side of the
to rapidly reduce planet-heating emissions, aisle, unfortunately, have opposed.
Again, the oil companies have 9,000
with environmentalists furious at adminis- I am reading in The New York Times
leases that they are not utilizing as we tration attempts to expand drilling and fos-
speak. today an article, ‘‘Republicans, Once
sil fuel companies also unhappy over some of Harsh Ukraine Critics, Pivot to Strong
I include in the RECORD an article ti- its earlier climate-related moves, such as
tled ‘‘Exclusive: Oil companies’ profits shutting down the controversial Keystone
Support.’’ I am glad about that. I am
soared to $174 billion this year as U.S. XL pipeline. hoping that the people who called
gas prices rose.’’ The oil and gas industry has fought Joe Ukraine the most corrupt country in
Biden’s attempts to pause new drilling per- the world under the previous adminis-
[From the Guardian, Dec. 6, 2021] mits on federal land, despite its unwilling- tration will now at least vote to sup-
EXCLUSIVE: OIL COMPANIES’ PROFITS SOARED ness to expand operations in order to reap port that country as they are under at-
TO $174BN THIS YEAR AS US GAS PRICES ROSE the returns of costlier oil and the fact the in- tack by Vladimir Putin.
(By Oliver Milman) dustry currently sits on 14m acres of already Anyway, there is some really good
leased land that isn’t being used, an area stuff in this bill, and I am looking for-
The largest oil and gas companies made a
about double the size of Massachusetts.
combined $174bn in profits in the first nine ‘‘It’s not the government that is banning ward to getting to the debate on this.
months of the year as gasoline prices them from drilling more,’’ Pavel Molchanov, Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal-
climbed in the US, according to a new re- an analyst at Raymond James, told CNN. ance of my time.
port. ‘‘It’s pressure from their shareholders.’’ Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, I yield
The bumper profit totals, provided exclu- Aside from its role in the current high gas- myself such time as I may consume.
sively to the Guardian, show that in the oline prices, the oil and gas industry is a Just to remind my friend, it was the
third quarter of 2021 alone, 24 top oil and gas leading driver of the climate crisis, the re- last administration that actually
companies made more than $74bn in net in- ality of which it sought to conceal from the
come. From January to September, the net
began lethal aid to Ukraine. The
public for decades. and is a key instigator of Obama administration did not. The
income of the group, which includes Exxon, the air pollution that kills nearly 9 million
Chevron, Shell and BP, was $174bn. record there is pretty clear as to who
a year, a death toll three times that of the
Exxon alone posted a net income of $6.75bn Covid–19 pandemic in 2020.
has helped the Ukrainians.
in the third quarter, its highest profit since The American Petroleum Institute, a lead- Madam Speaker, to further discuss
2017, and has seen its revenue jump by 60% ing industry lobby group, pointed to a blog the need to get America out from
on the same period last year. The company that blamed the Biden administration for under the thumb of Russia, I yield 2
credited the rising cost of oil for bolstering policies that ‘‘significantly weaken the in- minutes to the gentleman from Texas
these profits, as did BP, which made $3.3bn centives to invest in America’s energy fu- (Mr. PFLUGER), a member of the For-
in third-quarter profit. ‘‘Rising commodity ture’’ but did not answer questions on pro- eign Affairs Committee and my good
prices certainly helped,’’ Bernard Looney, duction rates of oil companies.
chief executive of BP, told investors at the friend.
latest earnings report.
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I Mr. PFLUGER. Madam Speaker, I
Gasoline prices have hit a seven-year high love the fact that we can’t even get rise today to oppose the previous ques-
in the US due to the rising cost of oil, with anybody to express the slightest bit of tion so we can immediately pass the
Americans now paying about $3.40 for a gal- outrage over the fact that oil compa- American Energy Independence from
lon of fuel compared with around $2.10 a year nies are gouging us, making record Russia Act. I would like to thank
ago. profits, while Americans are paying Ranking Member CATHY MCMORRIS
The Biden administration has warned the more at the gas pump. RODGERS for her leadership on this.
price hikes are hurting low-income people, I mean, I get it. They are very sup- Really, the question is simple. I
even as it attempts to implement a climate
portive of some on the other side, but, think we are missing the point. The
agenda that would see America move away
from fossil fuels, and has released 50m bar- I mean, give me a break. I think the question here is: Is the President of the
rels of oil from the national strategic reserve American people understand this. United States going to pick America,
to help dampen costs. We need to figure out a way to lower or is he going to pick our enemies?
But oil and gas companies have shown lit- gas prices to alleviate the burden on That is the debate here.
tle willingness so far to ramp up production working families here. But to get up Step one was great, and I am glad
to help reduce costs and the new report, by and defend oil companies and oil com- that we are going to support Ukraine. I
the government watchdog group Account- pany executives and put forward bills was there 5 weeks ago; we need to sup-
able.US, accuses them of ‘‘taking advantage and ideas that are oil companies’ wish port Ukraine.
of bloated prices, fleecing American families
lists when they have 9,000 leases right Step two is we need the President to
along the way’’ amid ongoing fallout from
the Covid–19 pandemic. now that they are not utilizing—and support America. Energy security is
‘‘Americans looking for someone to blame why? Because they are making record national security, Mr. President. It is
for the pain they experience at the pump profits. time to put Midland over Moscow.
need look no further than the wealthy oil I would also say to my colleagues Unfortunately, that security has
and gas company executives who choose to that the underlying bill that we are been under assault for decades but
line their own pockets rather than lower gas dealing with here today contains a lot most recently beginning on January 20,
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
prices with the billions of dollars in profit of good stuff. The gentleman from 2021. The administration is leading the
big oil rakes in month after month,’’ said Oklahoma alluded to it in his opening assault on energy. The reality is that
Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US.
remarks about the incredible invest- American energy is the cleanest in the
The analysis of major oil companies’ finan-
cials shows that 11 of the group gave payouts ments in medical research. world, but the President and my col-
to shareholders worth more than $36.5bn col- I was at the White House, as was the leagues on the other side of the aisle
lectively this year, while a dozen bought gentleman from Oklahoma, when refuse to acknowledge that fact and
back $8bn-worth of stock. This apparent President Biden announced the re- unleash it.
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March 9, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1389
Instead, they are choosing, the Presi- b 1015 Good (VA) Latta Rosendale
Gooden (TX) LaTurner Rouzer
dent is choosing, our adversaries, ter- America produces some of the clean- Gosar Lesko Roy
rorists, and begging them to produce est oil and gas in the world. If my col- Granger Letlow Rutherford
more when we can do it right here. leagues on the other side of the aisle Graves (LA) Long Salazar
Instead of calling on the 10 million Green (TN) Loudermilk Scalise
want to lower emissions and promote Greene (GA) Lucas Schweikert
Americans who do it every single day, clean energy, they would rely on Amer- Griffith Luetkemeyer Scott, Austin
we are outsourcing production to ad- ican oil and gas production in States Grothman Mace Sessions
versaries like Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Guest Mann Smucker
like my home State of Oklahoma, not Guthrie Massie Spartz
and they are harming our environment foreign countries like Russia, Ven- Harris Mast Steel
even more. ezuela, and even Iran. Harshbarger McCarthy Stefanik
The war on Ukraine is horrifying, Oklahomans are tired of inaction Hern McCaul Steil
Herrell McClain Steube
and it is heartbreaking. When I sat from Washington. They expect solu- Herrera Beutler McClintock Stewart
with President Zelensky, he said that tions. We cannot continue to tap into Hice (GA) Meuser Taylor
the impetus to invade his country the strategic petroleum reserve, which Higgins (LA) Miller (IL) Tenney
came from the fact that Nord Stream Hill Miller (WV) Thompson (PA)
is at some of the lowest levels since Hollingsworth Moolenaar Tiffany
existed. 2003. In addition, releasing 30 million Hudson Mooney Timmons
Our President green-lighted Nord barrels is only enough to meet our Na- Huizenga Moore (AL) Upton
Stream but canceled the Keystone Issa Moore (UT) Valadao
tion’s energy requirements for about a Jackson Mullin Van Drew
pipeline. Right now, today, there are day. Jacobs (NY) Murphy (NC) Van Duyne
six LNG terminals that the President, Sadly, this week House Democrats Johnson (LA) Newhouse Wagner
with the stroke of a pen, could approve. are not bringing forward a single piece Johnson (OH) Norman Walberg
Jordan Obernolte Walorski
Are we going to pick the United of legislation to address the energy cri- Joyce (OH) Owens Waltz
States of America, or are we going to sis. Joyce (PA) Palazzo Weber (TX)
pick our adversaries? Under the Trump administration, Keller Palmer Webster (FL)
The United States should not be en- Kelly (MS) Perry Wenstrup
America was energy independent and a Kelly (PA) Pfluger Westerman
ergy dependent. We should be energy net total energy exporter for the first Kustoff Posey Williams (TX)
dominant. Put Midland over Moscow. time since 1952. LaHood Reschenthaler Wilson (SC)
Unleash American LNG. Restart oil Madam Speaker, energy security is LaMalfa Rodgers (WA) Wittman
Lamborn Rose Young
and gas leasing on Federal lands, and national security. Sadly, under this ad-
protect our own country. Pick our ministration, we have neither. NAYS—255
country. Congress must act immediately to Adams DeFazio Kilmer
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Mem- take up the American Energy Inde- Aguilar DeGette Kim (CA)
bers are reminded to refrain from en- pendence From Russia Act. Allred DeLauro Kim (NJ)
gaging in personalities toward the This legislation would promote Auchincloss DelBene Kind
Axne Delgado Kirkpatrick
President. America’s oil and natural gas produc- Bacon Demings Krishnamoorthi
Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, tion and unleash American energy Barragán DeSaulnier Kuster
the gentleman asked a question: Are independence once again. Bass Deutch Lamb
Beatty Diaz-Balart Langevin
we going to pick America or our adver- f Bera Dingell Larsen (WA)
saries? Interesting question. My friends Beyer Doggett Larson (CT)
on the other side have spent all of their MOTION TO ADJOURN Bice (OK) Doyle, Michael Lawrence
time criticizing President Biden and Bishop (GA) F. Lawson (FL)
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speak- Blumenauer Dunn Lee (CA)
very little mention of Putin. I think er, I move that the House do now ad- Blunt Rochester Escobar Lee (NV)
that says it all. journ. Bonamici Eshoo Leger Fernandez
Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Bourdeaux Espaillat Levin (CA)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Bowman Evans Levin (MI)
ance of my time. question is on the motion to adjourn Boyle, Brendan Fitzpatrick Lieu
Mr. COLE. Madam Speaker, for fur- offered by the gentleman from Georgia F. Fletcher Lofgren
ther explanation of our energy inde- Brown (MD) Fortenberry Lowenthal
(Mr. HICE). Brown (OH) Foster Luria
pendence bill, I yield 2 minutes to the The question was taken; and the Brownley Frankel, Lois Lynch
gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Speaker announced that the noes ap- Bush Gallego Malinowski
BICE), my very good friend and fellow peared to have it. Bustos Garamendi Malliotakis
Oklahoman. Butterfield Garcı́a (IL) Maloney,
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Madam Speak- Calvert Garcia (TX) Carolyn B.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. Carbajal Golden Maloney, Sean
Speaker, I thank Mr. COLE for yielding. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Cárdenas Gomez Manning
I rise today in opposition to the pre- Carson Gonzalez (OH) Matsui
ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution Carter (LA) Gonzalez, McBath
vious question so that we can imme- 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. Carter (TX) Vicente McCollum
diately consider H.R. 6858, the Amer- The vote was taken by electronic de- Cartwright Gottheimer McEachin
ican Energy Independence from Russia vice, and there were—yeas 173, nays Case Graves (MO) McGovern
Casten Green, Al (TX) McHenry
Act. 255, not voting 4, as follows: Castor (FL) Grijalva McKinley
Gas prices are at a record high, and [Roll No. 62] Castro (TX) Harder (CA) McNerney
unfortunately, they will continue to YEAS—173
Cheney Hayes Meeks
rise. Cherfilus- Higgins (NY) Meijer
Aderholt Bucshon Ellzey McCormick Himes Meng
While the Russian invasion of Allen Budd Emmer Chu Hinson Mfume
Ukraine has worsened the crisis, it is Amodei Burchett Estes Cicilline Horsford Miller-Meeks
not the sole cause. The root cause of Armstrong Burgess Fallon Clark (MA) Houlahan Moore (WI)
Arrington Cammack Feenstra Clarke (NY) Hoyer Morelle
high energy and gas prices is due to the Babin Carey Ferguson Cleaver Huffman Moulton
anti-energy policies of the Biden ad- Baird Carl Fischbach Clyburn Jackson Lee Mrvan
ministration, which suspended all oil Balderson Carter (GA) Fitzgerald Cohen Jacobs (CA) Murphy (FL)
and gas leasing on Federal lands, slow- Banks Chabot Fleischmann Cole Jayapal Nadler
Barr Cline Foxx Connolly Jeffries Napolitano
walked liquefied natural gas exports, Bentz Cloud Franklin, C. Cooper Johnson (GA) Neal
and halted construction of the Key- Bergman Clyde Scott Correa Johnson (SD) Neguse
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
stone XL pipeline while green-lighting Biggs Comer Fulcher Costa Johnson (TX) Newman
Bilirakis Crawford Gaetz Courtney Jones Norcross
Russia’s Nord Stream 2. Bishop (NC) Crenshaw Gallagher Craig Kahele O’Halleran
These steps allowed Putin to corner Boebert Curtis Garbarino Crist Kaptur Ocasio-Cortez
the energy market and fund his inva- Bost Davidson Garcia (CA) Crow Katko Omar
sion of Ukraine. American dollars can Brady Davis, Rodney Gibbs Cuellar Keating Pallone
Brooks DesJarlais Gimenez Davids (KS) Kelly (IL) Panetta
no longer go to countries whose inter- Buchanan Donalds Gohmert Davis, Danny K. Khanna Pappas
ests run counter to America. Buck Duncan Gonzales, Tony Dean Kildee Pascrell
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