Washington, D.C. – Instead of accepting the reality of the energy crisis Americans are facing at the pump and working to produce more American-made energy, Democrats are once again attempting to shift the blame and trying to implement socialist price controls on gasoline. After voting against H.R. 7688, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) released the following statement.
“This feels like déjà vu. I remember the federal government's failed attempt to stop inflation with price controls back in the 1970s and how that created infamous gas lines and shortages,” said Burgess. “Government price controls have been tried before and resulted in increased inflation, decreased production, shortages, rationing, and mile-long gas lines. It is almost as if the Biden Administration and Democrats want to repeat history. Additionally, H.R. 7688 will weaponize the Federal Trade Commission to police “unconscionably excessive” prices that aren’t even defined in the bill and give President Biden the authority to declare an expansive “energy emergency,” forcing Green New Deal policies on American consumers.
“Instead of continuing with messaging bills that will ultimately cause more harm than good, Democrats should work with Republicans to regain American energy independence. This bill bypassed regular order and was jammed straight to the House floor. It was only brought before one committee, the House Rules Committee. Thankfully, I sit on the Rules Committee. During the Rules Committee hearing, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone admitted that this bill was not presented to his committee, the committee of jurisdiction, for consideration.
“Even further, Republican input was completely rejected, including the two amendments I offered. One of my amendments would have required President Biden to simultaneously declare an emergency at the southern border along with an energy emergency. Just like the policies put forward by this administration created an energy crisis, the administration must not ignore the worsening crisis at our southern border.
“It is time for Congress to pass the ‘American Energy Independence from Russia Act’ to reverse this administration’s harmful Green New Deal policies. It is critical that we streamline the permitting process, resume oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, restart the Keystone XL Pipeline, and support a diversity of energy sources.
“We can end the current energy crisis, but repeating the mistakes of failed socialist policies is never the solution.”
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