American Families Are Suffering

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, with gas prices at or above $5 per gallon, Americans are feeling significant pain at the pump. In a recent survey of my constituents, 89 percent said they have had to change or cancel their summer travel plans due to the surge in gas prices. What a shame.

I have also heard stories about how the gas prices, coupled with crippling inflation, have eaten into my constituents' savings and made it extremely difficult for families to make ends meet. These are the realities families throughout our country are facing. Yet, this administration and many of my colleagues in this Chamber appear to be out of touch with these concerns.

Instead of taking action to relieve the pain at the pump, President Biden and Congressional Democrats continue to blame, deflect, and justify the irresponsible decisions that have caused gas prices to spike.

Earlier this week, the President said: ``Out of everything lousy, something good will happen if you look hard enough for it.

``We have a chance to make a fundamental turn toward renewable energy, electric vehicles--and not just electric vehicles but across the board.''

No, Mr. President, record-high gas prices are not a good thing. It is disingenuous to act as though you are powerless, Mr. President, to do anything to address gas prices. My constituents do not want to suffer while this administration and Congressional Democrats continue to pursue a radical, green agenda.

President Biden has already done enough damage. From his first day in office, he canceled the Keystone pipeline and paused all domestic leases and sales. He has tried to blame everyone from Putin to price gouging and private industry.

But the facts are clear. The Biden administration is currently sitting on over 4,400 pending applications for permits to drill which must be approved so American workers can produce more American-made energy. That makes sense. In addition, Biden's regulatory and inflationary burdens are thwarting the creation of new large-scale refineries which are also needed to increase production. The Biden climate czar, former Senator John Kerry, said last week that we don't need any more domestic drilling. My constituents and I beg to differ.

Prior to President Biden assuming office, the United States was a net exporter of energy, and the price of gas dipped below $2 a gallon. The greatest Nation on the face of the Earth should never have to rely on Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, Russia, or any other hostile nation to meet its energy needs. It is also not realistic to believe we can transition to a green economy overnight without significant cost to consumers.

However, we can regain American energy independence, create American jobs, and lower prices at the pump by implementing the pro-growth, commonsense policies of the previous administration, which is why I have cosponsored the American Energy Independence from Russia Act. Unfortunately, House Democrats have blocked this critical bill seven times on this very floor. That means they are blocking energy solutions for lowering gas prices by boosting domestic energy production. This includes resuming the Keystone XL pipeline, restarting oil and gas leases on Federal lands and waters, and requiring a plan to replace the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that has been drained by this administration. It is just not right.

I don't know what message my colleagues' constituents on the other side of the aisle are sending to them. But back at home, the message has been very clear. What are their constituents telling them? From my constituents, the message is extremely clear. My constituents want Washington to stop its obsessive spending of money we don't have to push a green agenda, and they want lower prices at the pump. We need to do it now. It is urgent that we do it. It is critical that we do it.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in this fight.

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