Issue Position: Protecting American Energy

Issue Position

A global oversupply of crude oil and natural gas, coupled with a significant decrease in average annual consumption by Americans, has resulted in a steady decline in the value of oil. Congress has moved in the right direction earlier this year by revoking the 40 year ban on exports of oil and gas products. In my opinion, more can be done in DC to help the industry. Right now, we are locked in a global battle between Saudi-Arabia/OPEC and Russia -- as well as a handful of other smaller countries like Brazil. America is involved in a global struggle to see who's going to control the future of oil and gas. Therefore it's crucial that our federal government create an environment which allows American oil/gas companies to compete without onerous federal restrictions that the other major players do not have to contend with. I've never met a Republican who wants dirty air and dirty water or who wants to destroy the earth. However, jobs and economic growth must come first. It's economic stability that produces better, cleaner business practices to begin with. American oil and gas production is the cleanest in the world by far. I would very carefully review and adjust every one of the hundred or so Obama administration mandates and executive orders imposing his radical environmental agenda on our oil and gas industry. Obama's over-the-top restrictions on methane and carbon dioxide and his onerous limits on operating on federal land have hurt America.

Also, our flexibility to respond to other nations unfair trade practices has to be considered. I would consider retaliatory trade measures against Saudi Arabia, which has flooded the market with cheap oil in an effort to injure the American oil and gas industry overall and perhaps more specifically to drive America's growing shale oil industry out of business. Russia should be brought into line as well. Russian activism in oil/gas trade is sometimes purposefully devised to injure America. Russians are calculating, intelligent, and not to be underestimated. Our foreign policy interaction with Russia must ALWAYS bear in mind the oil and gas industry. They are a big dog… we are bigger. They understand that type of mentality and quite frankly, I respect that. The Obama regime is weak and completely disrespected by Russian maneuvers. The Madame Secretary Clinton State Department was considered inferior, even laughable, by the Russians. Our current challenges with the American oil and gas industry is directly correlated with these dynamics. As a Congressman, I will be an advocate for strong posture with Russia, and every other major oil producing nation across the globe. American oil and gas interests must win… in every negotiation, every time. Period.

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