Unlocking Our Domestic Lng Potential Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 1949.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would force the Department of Energy to rubberstamp every LNG export and strip the Department of its ability to review whether those exports are actually in the public interest.

At a time when families across the country are already seeing rising costs, Republicans are doing the opposite of what is needed. Instead of working to lower energy bills, they are prioritizing legislation that props up the fossil fuel industry and blocks affordable, clean energy that is ready to be connected to the grid.

We already know that increased LNG exports means higher energy prices for our communities at a time when families are already facing an affordability crisis. Due to skyrocketing demand, including from data centers, families in New Jersey saw a 20 percent spike in electricity bills this summer.

Further, Republicans claim that we need more fossil fuels to compete with China. If that is their concern, why advance a bill that makes it easier for China to purchase even more of our domestic energy? Why are we driving up our own energy bills to help an adversary? It makes absolutely no sense.

If we are serious about competing with China, we should take an all- of-the-above strategy to energy production and fast-track clean energy onto the grid.

Further, my colleagues across the aisle should tell the Trump administration to get Revolution Wind, which is off the coast of Rhode Island, back on track. That is how we produce more energy in this country. Doing so would bring down prices for American families in the process.

Mr. Speaker, I am strongly opposed to this bill, and I urge my colleagues to join me. Let's put the interests of our communities and of our country first.

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