Providing for Consideration of H.R. Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of and for Other Purposes
Floor Speech
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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from the great State of Minnesota for yielding.
I rise today to defeat the previous question so that we may immediately consider H.R. 6858, Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers' bill, that would strengthen United States energy security, encourage and promote domestic production of crude oil and natural gas, and help return to and solidify American energy independence.
You know, I get asked all the time, why? Why will Congress do nothing to lower the cost of fuel? Why do they continue to talk and do absolutely nothing?
Well, right here--right here is your answer. Today, Republicans stand, for the fifth time, legislation Today, Republicans stand, for the fifth time, legislation in hand, to bring gas prices down and to restart our energy production right here at home; legislation that would make us energy independent, once again, and that would get thousands of Americans back to work; legislation that would be a collective sigh of relief for our seniors, and those on fixed incomes, who are making the decision between gas or groceries. This legislation is the answer, and it is ready to go.
But you know what? My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have already been given vote recommendations by the Speaker of the House to shoot this legislation down. They haven't even read it. They haven't even read it, and they are so blind to and beholden to their radical agenda that they won't consider a commonsense solution to one of the most pressing issues facing all of our collective constituents, these fuel prices.
Again, this is the fifth time that this legislation has been presented, and it is the fifth time that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have put Russia first and America last.
The average price of gas today is $4.56 and climbing. For our truckers and farmers who fuel up on diesel, like many in my district, it is costing them well over $5 a gallon at the pump. In fact, it is $5.19 today for a gallon of diesel.
All across our country, Americans, regardless of party, are making decisions, again, between gas in the tank or groceries in the fridge. Folks are canceling their first road trip with their family in 2 years, or visits to grandparents, because Biden has decided that Americans who put fuel in their own gas tanks and shop for their own groceries, they are not the priority.
In fact, just 17 hours ago, the Biden administration was more concerned with presenting former President Barack Obama with a ceremonial pen than talking about how we are going to bring down fuel prices in this country. You want to talk about out of touch. There it is in a nutshell.
This is the Biden energy policy: soaring prices that hurt hardworking Americans and increasing reliance on foreign countries to meet our energy needs.
We know that America's future will not be realized by sunshine and pinwheels. We will realize it by boosting domestic production and ending our dependence on countries that don't have our best interests in mind. Heck, they don't even like us.
I have spoken to foresters and farmers in my district who have told me that energy costs alone are driving them out of operation and out of business. To illustrate this, one of the top timber producers in my own district said he is spending $18,000 more a week on fuel costs alone. If this continues, he will be suspending operations, all because this administration has issued our domestic energy industry a death sentence. That happened even before they took office.
This Biden energy plan, or lack thereof, is ruining the financial hopes and dreams of hardworking Americans and destroying farmers, foresters, families, ranchers, and small businesses.
We know that we can put an end to this energy crisis. We know we can, but instead, we are focused on ceremonial pens and issues that do not matter to the American people.
It is long past time that we end this energy crisis and put American energy security and independence at the top of the priority list. I stand before this body and the American people to say that we, too, have had enough.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can immediately bring Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers' legislation to the floor.
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