American Energy Dominance

Dear Friend,

Recall prior to Joe Biden taking office, the United States became a net exporter of energy for the first time in nearly 75 years. Our country was energy independent and energy prices reflected that reality.

Starting on Day 1 of Joe Biden's Administration, he launched an all-out attack on the American energy sector by killing the Keystone XL pipeline – which could be supplying 830,000 thousand barrels per day of oil from Canada to U.S. refineries. We also saw Biden announce that his administration would no longer hold court-ordered offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, and they held up thousands of pending Applications for Permits to Drill. Their regulatory and inflationary burdens thwarted the creation of new large-scale refineries, and their regulatory assault destroyed any incentive for domestic energy producers to invest. As his self-inflicted energy crisis surged, the administration passed the buck and blamed domestic energy producers. The facts are clear, this full blown assault on our domestic energy sector caused prices at the pump to hit historic highs.

Making matters even worse, instead of encouraging energy production here at home, last October President Biden traveled to Saudi Arabia to beg the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) to produce more oil. But following his visit, OPEC+ announced they were cutting production of oil by 2 million barrels a day – which only made America's energy crisis worse.

Following this failed attempt that empowered our adversaries, Biden began dumping America’s strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) – which is our reserve stockpile meant for weather or national security emergencies – in an attempt to control prices. Not only did this fail to bring down energy prices, but it seriously threatened our national security by depleting our reserve to its lowest point since 1986. Further threatening our national security, Biden shipped roughly five million barrels of oil from our SPR overseas – with roughly one million of those barrels being sold to a Chinese government owned gas giant. By sending our strategic stockpile to other countries as Americans struggled to afford gas at home, hardworking Americans continued to pay the price at the pump for Biden's failed policies.

Joe Biden refuses to take responsibility for record-high gas prices – even after pledging to eliminate fossil fuels and waging war on the American energy sector. It’s clear that this administration is out of touch with the American people, and his gas hike is only driving inflation through the roof and causing massive financial hardship for millions of families.

Energy security is national security and real power comes from our nation creating our own energy resources. Instead of turning from one dictator to another, we need to unleash American production and pursue an all-of-the-above energy approach. That means reversing the White House’s policies that have left us beholden to foreign adversaries while compounding the pain we’ve been feeling at the pump for over a year.

Republicans remain committed to taking significant action to fully address this out-of-control energy crisis. Last week, House Republicans passed our signature legislation, H.R. 1 - the Lower Energy Costs Act. This important legislation will completely reverse course from Joe Biden’s disastrous policies that have destroyed American energy independence and made our country more reliant on foreign energy – and caused folks across the country to struggle from record high prices.

The Lower Energy Costs Act lowers annual energy costs by $795 per household by bringing American energy dominance. This essential bill increases domestic energy production, reverses Biden's anti-energy policies, streamlines energy infrastructure and exports, and boosts the production and processing of critical minerals. So that American families can start getting relief from high energy prices, I hope the Senate and the President follow the House's lead.

Click here for a full breakdown of The Lower Energy Costs Act.

Committee Update

Last Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xaier Becerra. During the hearing, I discussed the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is costing patients their lives and significantly increasing our nation’s healthcare costs. With 35,000 people in this country dying each year from infections, in addition to costing us an average of $4.6 billion annually, I remain focused on addressing this growing threat to our healthcare system and used my time to discuss this with Secretary Becerra.

Click here to watch my full remarks.

On Wednesday, the House Budget Committee held a hearing to discuss the Fiscal State of the Union. With President Biden’s budget doubling down on the Democrat’s reckless spending and failed economic policies, we are fighting back against his radical policies that will only continue to weaken our economy, fuel inflation, discourage employees from returning to work, drive soaring interest payments, and burden families with more taxes.

Click here to watch my remarks.

Thanks for Visiting

I enjoyed speaking with students from New Creation Christian Academy last week during their trip to Washington, D.C. Meeting young adults from our local community is always a nice reminder of the great leadership to come. Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Christopher Nunn, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner, stopped in to meet with me last week. We had an informative discussion about his work that ensures communities across our state have the proper resources and remain successful.

Thank you to Ryan Courtney and representatives from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) for meeting with me last week. NECA contractors set the standard for traditional and integrated electrical systems and lead the industry in the practical application of new technologies.

Thank you to Colonel Jeremy Chapman, P.E. and Peter Taylor from the Army Corps of Engineers for sitting down and discussing the importance of public engineering services throughout Georgia and our nation.

The National Rental Home Council (NRHC) works to provide safe homes for single-families, while strengthening the rental home industry and supporting our economy. I appreciate folks from NRHC stopping in to update me on their work which ensures Georgians have safe and adequate rental opportunities available.

Productive meeting with Dr. Jeanette Halam and Dr. Bob Haeberlin from the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) last week. The impact of GAEL is seen throughout the Third District, and I greatly appreciate their leadership in educating our youth.

Meeting with the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations this week was very informative and insightful. By supporting human resources assistance to small and mid-size businesses throughout Georgia’s Third District, the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations helps provide workspaces where folks can thrive.

03.29.2023- National Association of Professional Employer Organization

The state of the art work Millikin Textiles creates allows for greater protection of our health by using new technology to create innovative solutions for day-to-day problems. Their work focuses on insights and innovation to develop everything from new molecules to new products that protect first responders, help wounds heal faster, protects our food, and make environments healthier.

The American Academy of Pediatrics does crucial work throughout Georgia’s Third District. We had a great discussion with Jonathan Goodin about current concerns and accomplishments of pediatricians and pediatric centers within our 14 counties.

Stay Connected

As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!

Sincerely,

Drew Ferguson
Member of Congress