Protecting America’s Strategic

Petroleum Reserve from China Act

This week, the House voted on the H.R. 22, Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, of which I was an early co-sponsor. This legislation prevents the Secretary of Energy from selling any Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) oil to an entity affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or any entity that plans to export it to China.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was created for serious weather events or national security emergencies, but President Biden has now drained our SPR, which was once the world’s largest stockpile, by 36%, and it is now at its lowest level since 1984. In July, the Biden administration risked both our national and energy security by allowing oil from the SPR to be sold to a CCP affiliated company, even though Americans were seeing skyrocketing prices at the pump. The solution to low oil supply is simple - increase domestic production. However, the Biden administration has continued to put a stop to federal land and offshore lease sales for oil and gas development over the past two years and has interfered with the creation of pipelines and large-scale refineries with new and cumbersome regulations.

Energy security is national security. Draining our strategic reserves for political purposes and selling portions of it to China are significant threats to our national security. Not only is it troubling that we are no longer energy independent, it’s equally concerning that we are helping China build up its reserves amidst rising tensions with Taiwan. House Republicans are fighting to ensure one of our greatest geopolitical adversaries does not benefit from President Biden’s anti-American energy policies.

This week the House started voting on the first pieces of legislation of the new congress. I've outlined what was passed and what legislation folks can expect in the coming weeks.

Click here or on the photo to watch me discuss the Republican priorities for the 118th Congress.

H.Res 5 - Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, and for other purposes - YEA

Ends proxy voting in the House and remote proceedings in committees.
Prohibits legislation from coming to the floor that has the net effect of increasing mandatory spending without other spending reductions.
Restores fiscal accountability by eliminating the Gephardt Rule that allowed for an automatic suspension of the debt ceiling upon adoption of a budget resolution.

H.Res 11 - Establishing the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party - YEA

Creates a committee to investigate the CCP for deceptive trade practices, supply chain risks and vulnerabilities, its role as supplier and producer of fentanyl and its failure to control what is coming out of China, and acquisition of agricultural land in America.

H.Res 12 - Establishing a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government - YEA

Creates a committee to investigate the role of the executive branch in:

Collecting information on, or otherwise investigating US citizens, and what it does with the information it gathers.
Obtaining information from and providing information to the private sector, non-profits, and other governmental agencies to act against US citizens and determining if any illegal activities were engaged in by the executive branch and private sector against citizens.
Improperly using or disseminating information about US citizens.
Determining the legal basis of the sources and methods used in its investigations.

H.R. 26 - Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act - YEA

Requires appropriate medical care for children who survive abortion procedures and are born alive. It imposes strong criminal penalties for failure to provide such care.
Protects women who have received an abortion from prosecution.

H.Con.Res 3 - Expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches - YEA

Condemns political attacks and vandalism against crisis pregnancy centers, churches, and pro-life organizations by Far Left activists, and stands with those who defend the fundamental right to life.

H.R. 22 - Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act - YEA

Prohibits selling any products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.

One of the most important things I do as a U.S. Representative is help people communicate with federal agencies.

This week, my office was able to expedite the release of $92,660 in back pay from the Office of Personnel Management for a constituent whose disability retirement case settled last year. We were also able to facilitate the disability appeal of a veteran, which was granted. The veteran also received a $60,000 retroactive payment.

If you need assistance with a federal agency, please call my Jonesboro office (870) 203-0540 or fill out the form here.

Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Arkansans sworn in U.S.House after multi-day speakership battle

Arkansas' delegates -- including Republicans Rick Crawford of Jonesboro and Steve Womack of Rogers -- supported McCarthy throughout the entire speaker contest.

"I can think of no one who has fought harder for the success and priorities of House Republicans these past two years," Crawford said in a press release after the vote. "Speaker McCarthy has a plan that our conference can unite around. It's time to get to work on behalf of the American people and secure our border, tackle inflation and finally hold the Biden administration accountable for their failures."

KATV

Arkansas lawmakers react to Sarah Huckabee Sanders being sworn in as governor

Rep. Rick Crawford said Sanders is making history as the first female governor of the Natural State.

"Congratulations to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on being sworn into office today as the 47th governor of Arkansas and making history as the first female governor of the Natural State. I look forward to seeing her lead, and working with her on our shared goals, which include improving the quality of life for Arkansans and ensuring that our state is an attractive place for our children and grandchildren to raise their families. She has big shoes to fill, as Governor Asa Hutchinson worked hard to strengthen our great state over the past 8 years," said Crawford.