We Must Reverse the Biden Administration's Pause on LNG Exports

Ensuring American energy independence is crucial to our national security and that of our allies around the world.

But, when the Biden Administration announced that they would pause U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports they essentially weakened American energy leadership and pushed our allies to get their LNG exports from adversaries like Russia, China, or Iran, countries with dirtier oil and natural gas.

The U.S. has been a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2005, we have reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent, all while primary energy production in the country increased by 48 percent. And the use of natural gas played an irreplaceable role in this fact.

Globally, according to the Energy Information Agency, primary energy consumption is expected to increase through 2050 by somewhere between 16 percent and 57 percent, and global demand for natural gas will increase by 41 percent by 2050. However, if the U.S. allows Biden's war on energy to continue, we will limit our LNG exports, and that will have a domino effect on global LNG consumption.

In Congress, I proudly serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee where we recently conducted a hearing on the LNG export ban. During the hearing, I highlighted that U.S. LNG produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other types of coal and is much cleaner than natural gas produced in other countries, such as Russia, Iran or Venezuela. This means that more U.S. LNG exports could actually benefit the environment, especially if U.S. gas replaced dirtier carbon based fuels. 

As a Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, I believe that we can reduce global emissions by helping countries shift from coal to natural gas as well as other renewables thus compelling me to speak out against this egregious ban and work to reverse the moratorium not only for our allies, but for our communities.

Therefore, this week, I supported H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024, which passed the House on February 15th. This legislation would immediately reverse President Biden's de facto ban on American LNG exports. Restoring LNG exports will strengthen the economy, further U.S. leadership in reducing emissions, and increase the energy security of the U.S. and its allies.

As we continue to work to reverse the Biden Administration's assault on LNG exports, please know that I will continue to support our local communities and work to counter the Biden Administration's extreme policies. 

Iowans in D.C.

It is always great to meet with Iowans while they are in Washington! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to residents of the First District allows me to stay informed of what is going on in their communities and what I can do to help.

Last Week, I toured the Mahaska County YMCA. This week, it was great to meet with Barry Martin, CEO of the Mahaska County YMCA; Lucas Hughes, CEO of the Newton YMCA; and Wade Riedlinger, the Heartland Alliance Executive Director, for the Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota YMCAs. Thank you for continuing the conversation about supporting youth development and healthy living!

Rural and underserved areas continue to face significant health care access challenges. This week, I met with the Iowa Rural Health Association to discuss ways that we can work to improve access and quality health care for rural Americans.

I am honored to receive the Distinguished Community Health Center Advocate Award from the Iowa Primary Care Association. Thank you for recognizing the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act and the need to continue to empower patients and employers so they can make informed health care decisions.

It was a pleasure to meet with representatives from the Iowa Medical Society this week. Thank you for stopping by.

I met with Seema Verma from Oracle Health to discuss electronic health records and providing quality care for our veterans.

I met with Iowa county officials regarding the need for infrastructure in southeast Iowa.

Thank you, Jesper Moller Sorensen, Ambassador of Denmark, for meeting with me to discuss shared interests between the U.S. and the EU in terms of national security.

20 County Tour

It is always great to meet with Iowans as I travel across the First District! It truly is my favorite part of serving in Congress. Speaking to Iowans allows me to stay informed about what is happening in their communities and what I can do to help.

I visited Sinclair Tractor in Sigourney, IA. We discussed the Farm Bill, the impact of inflation and interest rates on businesses, and access to affordable energy. Thank you for the informative discussion.

It's great to see products made right here in Iowa! This week, I visited Interpower, in Oskaloosa, to tour the facility, discuss the labor shortage, and talk about methods to use technology without replacing jobs.

I met with Warren, Mahaska, and Marion County law enforcement agencies to discuss the importance of addressing mental health and substance abuse. We also discussed the importance of making sure our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to do their jobs.

Committee Hearings

This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee covered legislative proposals to support patients and caregivers. I am proud to cosponsor legislation like the Living Donor Protection Act and the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act to improve organ donation services across the country.

As a 24-year military veteran, I find the conduct of the VA's ORMDI office deplorable and unacceptable. This week, I participated in the House Veterans' Affairs Full Committee oversight hearing titled: "VA's HR Office: Did Leaders Ignore and Perpetrate Sexual Harassment?" and spoke about this gross failure of leadership and our duty to protect VA employees working hard each day to serve our veterans. 

U.S. manufactured goods are 80% more carbon efficient than the average global competitors. Instead of building on that success, the EPA is implementing new fine particulate matter standards, making it virtually impossible to expand our manufacturing capacity in the U.S.

Vaccine fatigue is nothing new. During this week's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing we discussed how we need to assess America's vaccine safety systems and implement a clear framework for strain selection and vaccine availability.

This week marked the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee's first hearing dedicated to exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in health care and the need to safeguard Veteran health data. As a physician and a 24-year Army veteran, I have witnessed the evolution of health care in both military and civilian worlds. While progress tends to be incremental, occasionally, a process or technology emerges that pushes our boundaries significantly. The integration of artificial intelligence in health care offers this opportunity, but we must work to safeguard and protect Veteran health data.

Legislative Roundup

Last week, I voted in favor of the following legislation:

H. Res. 863, "Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors."

H.R. 5375, the "Strengthening the Quad Act," legislation that directs the Department of State to seek to establish a working group with Japan, Australia, and India to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values. 

H.R. 533, the "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act," legislation that addresses issues relating to Tibet, including by establishing a statutory definition of Tibet that includes areas in Chinese provinces outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

H.R. 7176, the "Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act," legislation that repeals restrictions on the import and export of natural gas.

H.R. 2766, the "Uyghur Policy Act," legislation that addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.

H.R. 3202, the "Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act," legislation that prohibits federal officials or employees from taking any action to recognize a Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad.

H. Res. 966, "Condemning rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas in its war against Israel."

H.R. 5856, the "Fredrick Douglas Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act," legislation that reauthorizes several programs that prevent trafficking in persons, which are managed by the Departments of Justice (DOJ), Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security (DHS), and State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Sincerely,