President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced he was banning the import of Russian oil. As part of the ban, Biden said 30 million barrels of oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserves would be utilized from the United States.
In coordination with our partners, we have already announced a collective release of 60 million barrels of oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserves — half of that from the United States.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 8, 2022
Instead of drilling in other countries as part of the ban, Republican members of Alabama’s congressional delegation called on Biden to reverse his energy policy and unleash American energy to alleviate the higher oil prices.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks), the ranking Republican of the House Armed Service Committee, called Biden’s ban on Russian oil “an important step” but questioned why the president was “so keen on giving money to regimes who hate our country instead of buying American.”
“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – energy independence is economic and national security. Banning the import of Russian oil is an important step that I have repeatedly pushed the Biden administration to take,” Rogers said in a statement. “However, I am incredibly concerned about reports that the Biden administration is looking at buying oil from equally evil regimes in Venezuela and Iran. President Trump knew the importance of energy independence and made it a priority. Unfortunately, President Biden undid President Trump’s pro-energy policies and Americans are suffering because of it. We have the resources and ability to produce our own energy – why is President Biden so keen on giving money to regimes who hate our country instead of buying American?”
U.S. Reps. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile), Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and Barry Moore (R-Mobile), and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) all echoed a similar call for an end to the president’s reversal of energy independence.
Americans are now paying an average of $4 a gallon for gas, and President Biden is to blame.
He chose to cripple American energy production and make us dependent on foreign oil. Unleash American energy NOW!
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) March 7, 2022
I agree with banning Russian oil and gas only if it’s coupled with Biden reversing his anti-American energy policies. These actions combined would hurt Putin without hurting Americans. https://t.co/UUbhA3XG6m
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) March 8, 2022
American energy independence makes America stronger and the world safer. We’re still buying thousands of barrels of Russian oil a day, which funds Putin’s war on Ukraine and weakens our international position. It’s time to #FlipTheSwitch and unleash American energy production.
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) March 4, 2022
Why won't President Biden unleash American energy?
Why would he rather buy oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela?
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) March 7, 2022
While I'm glad we are banning Russian oil, it needs to be replaced with American oil from American soil. We don't need to replace the oil from one dictator with the oil from another dictator. https://t.co/T7SHmb4tyk via @usatoday
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) March 8, 2022
Alabama's average gas prices are nearing 2008's record high:
⛽️ Today: $3.910
⛽️ 2008: $4.052
@POTUS, There's a simple solution to lower costs ➡️ unleash American energy NOW.— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) March 7, 2022
Prior to Biden’s announcement, the United States was importing approximately 7.9% of its crude oil from Russia.
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