The House passed legislation Thursday to overturn President Biden’s moratorium on new liquefied natural gas exports, marking the latest instance of centrist Democrats joining Republicans to buck the president’s green energy agenda.
The bill, led by Rep. August Pfluger, a Texas Republican, passed on a 224-200 vote, with nine Democrats joining the Republicans. [emphasis, links added]
It would lift the moratorium on new exports but faces an all-but-certain blockade in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Last month, the Department of Energy stopped granting new applications for LNG exports pending a review to determine whether such projects are in the public’s best interest and how the agency can better factor climate change mitigation efforts into its approvals.
Proponents of the House measure said the administration’s freeze would become a de facto ban on new exports of an American energy source that allies need.
The U.S. quickly ascended to become the world’s largest LNG exporter after European nations stopped importing Russian gas in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
“This ban will harm the American economy, jeopardize good paying jobs, weaken our energy security, and it threatens the security of our friends and allies,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington Republican. “President Biden’s ban sends a signal to our allies that we’re no longer a dependable energy partner.”
Democrats who support Mr. Biden’s policy say the halt on new export permits helps prevent American LNG from going to China and insulates domestic natural gas prices from increasing because of higher prices from exporters elsewhere. …snip…
The nine Democratic defectors were Reps. Jared Golden of Maine; Vicente Gonzalez, Marc Veasey, and Henry Cuellar of Texas; Mary Peltola of Alaska; Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Rick Larsen of Washington; Yadira Caraveo of Colorado; and Jim Costa of California.
A group of 10 House Democrats, which included Mr. Veasey, Ms. Peltola, Mr. Gonzalez, and Mr. Costa have urged Mr. Biden to reverse course.
They said LNG exports help U.S. allies and are critical for curbing global warming emissions by replacing coal.
Read full post at Washington Times
Even if the Senate were to pass the bill, it then goes to the desk in the Oval Office. Veto, and not enough votes to override that veto.
At least the Republicans can say that they tried, which may help some come election day.
What has happened to the most successful country in human history? Who would have ever thought that the United States of America would BAN new LNG exporting?
American voters really have an easy decision to make this November and in many respects, that’s proven here because nine democrats voted for this legislation.
Given what Russia is doing in Ukraine, there is no justification for what the Biden administration is attempting to do here. In fact, this is in the best intersts of all Americans because it’s revenue for the country and, it is essential assitance to US allies in Europe.
November 2024 can’t come soon enough, but Americans need to be watchful. The illegal immigrants may be allowed to vote and mail-in ballots will be an avenue for cheating.
Bidens polls show everything he is hitting the bottom of the Marianah Trench and is still going