Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement after seven House Democrats sent a letter to House leadership outlining their opposition to oil, natural gas, and refining provisions within the House budget reconciliation package:
 
“As Democrat leaders in Congress push a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package and an anti-oil and gas agenda, President Biden is pleading OPEC+ to increase oil production, and California is rushing to greenlight five natural gas plants in order to avoid the ongoing threat of rolling blackouts across the state. Not only does the reconciliation plan – hatched from out-of-touch policy recommendations pushed by extreme environmental activists – disregard America’s economic recovery, national security, and domestic job creation, but it aims to snuff out the oil and gas industry and American jobs without a workable alternative, further threatening our nation’s energy security,” said Chairman Newhouse.
 
He continued, “I am encouraged to see my colleagues from across the aisle stand up against these abhorrent policies and responsibly advocate for our national interests. They said it best: ‘These inequitable policies will cost American jobs, move America farther away from energy independence, and will slow the country’s move toward a lower carbon future.’”
 
The letter, sent by Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Filemon Vela (TX-34), and Colin Allred (TX-32), outlines the economic and environmental benefits of continued domestic oil and gas production.
 
The lawmakers write, “We firmly believe that the budget reconciliation should not unduly disadvantage any industry, and oppose the targeting of U.S. oil, natural gas, and refining with increased taxes and fees and the exclusion of natural gas production from clean energy initiatives. These inequitable policies will cost American jobs, move America farther away from energy independence, and will slow the country’s move toward a lower carbon future.”
 
Click here to read the full text of the letter.
 
Background:
 
In July, Chairman Newhouse and Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) hosted a bipartisan forum to highlight the benefits and importance of oil and gas development in Texas. Click here to watch: “Promoting American Energy Independence: Developing the Lonestar State.”