Month One in the Majority
The Republican majority is in full swing. Committee chairs and memberships are in the process of being formed. On the House floor, we’ve passed a strong, conservative rules package and multiple pieces of effective legislation that align with the Republican Commitment to America.
The bills passed so far address some of the key issues that are impacting Oklahomans. Our first bill in the majority was to defund the Democrats’ army of 87,000 additional IRS agents, which would target low and middle-income hardworking families and small businesses. We also established a Select Committee on China with bipartisan support. This committee will confront the dangerous threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, protect American competitiveness, secure our intellectual property, and defend human rights. Additionally, we passed two bills that advance the pro-life agenda. We also advanced legislation in bipartisan fashion that prohibits President Biden from sending American Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil to China, who already has one of the largest stockpiles in the world. Energy security is national security, and we cannot allow Biden to continue to weaken America while strengthening our adversaries.
This week, we remained focused on the important issue of energy security. The House passed the Strategic Production Response Act, which would unleash America’s abundant fossil fuel reserves located under federal lands and waters and require the Biden Administration to replenish and maintain the SPR. Since Biden has drained our reserves by 40% without a plan to replenish it, we must ensure we are prepared for any emergency, such as storms or natural disasters. This legislation would require any future non-emergency SPR releases to be accompanied by a plan from the Secretary of Energy to increase the percentage of federal lands and waters leased for oil and gas production. Over the past two years, domestic oil production and refining capacity have both declined by 1 million barrels per day from peak levels under the prior administration. This legislation is a good first step in getting our country back on track and lowering prices for all Oklahomans.
These bills are only a starting point for House Republicans, and I am committed to halting the harmful agenda of House Democrats and working to fulfill our Commitment to America throughout this Congress. While passing legislation out of the House is important, it is imperative that the Senate take up bipartisan pieces of legislation, like preventing China from obtaining American crude from our strategic reserves. Over the last two years of Democrat controlled Washington, I have continued to hear from you about the troubling issues impacting the American people. We will conduct rigorous oversight and work together to advance solutions within our majority. The thoughts and concerns of my fellow Oklahomans will continue to be top of mind throughout the 118th Congress, and I am honored to represent you in Washington.