A bill to offset oil and gas imports from Russia by boosting production in the U.S. was introduced to the House of Representatives this week.

However Democrats blocked the measure from being considered on the House floor, something co-sponsor Representative Dan Newhouse said is difficult to understand.

"This is not a dig on the president. This is not a partisan issue." Newhouse said, "This is a legitimate effort for us to weaken Russia's position here and strengthening ours."

Currently, the United States sends about $75 million a day to Russia in exchange for crude oil.

Newhouse says the bill would secure improve American energy independence by:

  • Requiring President Biden submit an energy security plan to Congress within 30 days to evaluate U.S. oil and natural gas imports, identify importing countries that pose an energy security risk to America, and encourage domestic production of oil and natural gas to offset imports from Russia;
  • Immediately approving the Keystone XL pipeline to deliver an additional 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil to U.S. refineries;
  • Using U.S. liquid natural gas exports to boost U.S. natural gas production and displace Russian gas in the European market;
  • Requiring the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to increase oil and gas production on Federal lands to replace oil drawn down from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve;
  • Requiring leasing and permitting of energy and minerals development on Federal lands and waters; and,
  • Checking the Biden Administration's ability to limit domestic oil and gas, mining, and critical minerals production

Newhouse added that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday that she was in favor of cutting America's reliance on Russian oil. He said he'd be in favor of letting House Democrats re-introduce the bill to get it passed.

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