My Weekly Column: Protecting our energy independence and supporting our main street businesses
In the United States, we are blessed with an abundant supply of energy – from ethanol and biodiesel to natural gas and oil – to power our nation and fuel our economy. Regrettably, just months ago, President Biden sold oil from our reserves to China to compensate for his war on American energy production. No price, no matter how high, justifies supplying China with American-made energy. That’s why, at the beginning of the 118th Congress, Republicans – and more than 100 Democrats – voted to permanently end oil sales from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China: a victory for our families and energy independence.
Due to the damage already caused by the Biden Administration, my Republican colleagues and I recently passed another commonsense bill to protect our energy security and ensure that our Strategic Petroleum Reserve is filled to the brim. Our Strategic Production Response Act will hold the Biden Administration accountable for depleting our oil reserves and replenish these emergency resources.
Energy independence is a matter of national security. We cannot rely on foreign countries for our energy needs when China and Russia want to destabilize and destroy our country. Greenlighting new energy production coupled with homegrown Iowa biofuels is the best solution to refill our reserves, reduce the cost of gas for our families, and make America energy independent again. With pinch points in our supply chain and crises abroad, we must ensure that our strategic reserves are full, and our energy production meets the needs of every American family.
This week, I also voted for three bills to help our main street businesses thrive by cutting burdensome government red tape. It is vital that Congress continues to implement policies that make it easier for our rural main street businesses to grow. That’s why I proudly voted to support legislation that puts American small businesses over foreign interests and incentivizes investment in our rural main streets. As the backbone of our rural economy, I am committed to delivering for our families, farmers, taxpayers, and main street businesses so that Iowa remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
We are government together, and your thoughts and opinions matter to me. Please contact my office at Feenstra.House.Gov or by phone at 202-225-4426 if I can ever be of assistance. I am proud to represent our families, farmers, main street businesses, and rural communities in Congress.