ODESSA, Texas — During the week of March 18, American energy is the topic of conversation in the U.S. House of Representatives. On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressman August Pfluger came to the Permian Basin to discuss the current state of American energy.
Speaker Johnson and Congressman Pfluger kicked off "Energy Week" in the House by speaking on the challenges the energy industry is currently faced with and solutions they are bringing to the House floor.
“Energy security is national security," said Speaker Johnson.
The fight for American energy independence continued Monday in the heart of production for America and a global leader.
“The Permian Basin is so critically important to us," Speaker Johnson said. "It’s a tremendous blessing for us as a nation to have this resource, and to have the technology and to be able to explore and use this resource as we are is central to our strength as a nation.”
Speaker Johnson and Congressman Pfluger toured a Diamondback Energy oil rig and spoke with some of their employees.
Those conversations help tie in to legislation that will be voted on this week in the House.
“These bills will include these: support fracking (HR 1121), oppose a carbon tax – that’s House Concurrent Resolution 86 – the decreased fees on oil and gas producers (HR 6009), expedite the permitting processes (HR 7023) and denounce Biden’s anti-American energy policies (House Resolution 987)," Speaker Johnson said.
Congressman Pfluger highlighted their current reality.
“We face challenges in the political climate that are literally unparalleled in the history of our country," said Congressman Pfluger, who is also chairman representative for the House Energy Action Team (HEAT). "When you think about a president who wants to literally suppress American production [and] American economic activity in favor of Iranian and Russian activity, I couldn’t think of something that’s more harmful to our own country and to the 10 million Americans who work in this industry.”
Energy Week sets a theme and focus in Capitol Hill.
“House republicans are determined to protect American jobs," Speaker Johnson said. "We want to unleash American energy dominance again. We want to help our allies. We want to reduce emissions. We can do all that, but it’s going to require a difference. It’s going to require a change in who the commander-in-chief is and the control of congress as well.”
And while only a week, it’s potential impact goes far beyond just five days.
“This election this Fall will decide the future of the republic," Speaker Johnson said. "I mean that’s not hyperbole, it’s not an overstatement.”
Both Speaker Johnson and Congressman Pfluger echoed that the Permian Basin was the perfect spot to kick off Energy Week, as their energy policy efforts take another step forward in this election year.