For over a year, Americans have been asking one simple question that has gone unanswered: Why does the Biden Administration hate energy freedom in America?
It’s a legitimate concern, and one that will continue to grow in the coming days and weeks. However, we’re now seeing an answer come in a form that is purely unpalatable: a nuclear deal with Iran.
This administration’s ongoing negotiations to revive the Iran deal, and reports of related concessions by the U.S. government, signal that this great country is willing to fall to its knees and beg for oil — even if it’s coming from our adversaries. The calculus in this decision is clearly not in our favor. A heedless pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran to quell our dependence on Russian oil is the epitome of incompetence.
Why is it so difficult to pursue energy freedom on our own terms?
When asking that question, it’s important to remember the domino effect that led us here in the first place. On day one, President Biden kneecapped American energy production by redlining the Keystone XL pipeline and the thousands of good-paying American jobs it created. By revoking its long-awaited permit, energy freedom suffered a right hook to the jaw. Soon after, President Biden decided to waive sanctions on a Putin crony who leads the firm responsible for the development of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in Europe.
It’s as if he wanted the West to be dependent on Russia indefinitely.
Let’s not forget about how our own energy exports have been hamstrung by this administration as of late. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently revised its approval policy for natural gas pipelines and export terminals to include a nebulous analysis of how emissions could affect the “public interest” — a killing stroke that will cripple our liquid natural gas (LNG) exports. Even as America is poised to be the top exporter of LNG this year, it’s evident that we can’t stop tripping over our own feet.
According to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, the United States imported an average of 209,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 500,000 barrels per day of other petroleum products from Russia. Juxtapose those numbers to the capabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline. It was projected that the Keystone XL pipeline would transport 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day — far exceeding what we buy from Russia.
While those facts are undeniable, the Administration turns up its nose. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki doubled down on the administration’s policy agenda of promoting green energy. She claimed that America must reduce its reliance on oil entirely — a solution that’s completely removed from the reality of the catastrophes we are facing.
The Biden Administration might as well be the “Participation Trophy Administration.” They treat every threat we face as a little league game — with the end-goal of not clinching a victory, but rather collecting a participation trophy and expecting a pat on the back for even the slightest exertion of effort. By negotiating with Iran and leaving our own energy production capabilities to die on the vine, we’ve been led into a minefield where our geopolitical leverage is under siege.
Shame on this administration for sacrificing our own footing at a time that demands uncompromising leadership.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the Republican Leader of the House Committee on Education and Labor.
