We're losing to China, H.R. 1 can change that
By: Rep. Buddy Carter
The Energy and Commerce Committee recently heard from David Hickman, a farmer, who described our current economy as, quote, “the most perilous time for American agriculture.” He’s right, and he’s not alone.
Every day that I’m in Georgia’s First Congressional District, whether I’m talking to a parent, a farmer, a teacher, a trucker, or a small business owner, I hear the same concern: “Inflation is too high.” Everything, from diesel to food, is more expensive under this president, who cannot stop himself from spending your money, stealing your retirement funds, and stomping on your small business...
On day one of his presidency, Biden declared war on American energy, and at breakneck speed ended American energy independence and killed thousands of jobs. What came next? Inflation, high interest rates, small businesses closing their doors, and even more inflation.
When you plunge a knife into the heart of our economy, you can’t be surprised when it begins bleeding out.
Fortunately, House Republicans are stepping up and delivering solutions for the American people. H.R. 1 will increase American energy production, reform the permitting process for all industries, reverse this administration’s anti-energy policies, streamline energy infrastructure, and boost the production and processing of critical minerals.
That’s a long-winded way of saying that this bill will make our energy sector more affordable, more efficient, and will create more jobs.
The American people told us that inflation and high energy prices were their number one concern, and we are listening by making it the House’s number one priority.
I’m also glad that my bill, H.R. 1070, was included in this legislation and will bring necessary permitting reform and investment in America’s critical mineral processing.
We are losing to China in the race to supply the world with critical minerals, and it’s not even close. This bill is just one part of a much larger effort to fix permitting in our country and extends the official invitation to those who wish to invest in critical mineral processing to do so here, in America. My District, which includes all 100 miles of Georgia’s pristine coastline, is one of the few places in America that still mines critical minerals. We know how important it is for us to bring this life-saving supply chain home and we can do that by signing H.R. 1 into law...
The question is not whether we need American energy, the question is how can we produce more of it so that we are reliant on ourselves, not China, to meet these basic needs? H.R. 1 is the answer and I urge the Senate to swiftly take up this legislation so we can deliver relief to the American people.
Read my full Washington Times op-ed here.
Read more about H.R. 1 here.
