Congressmen Kinzinger & Keating Introduce Legislation to Increase Global Energy Security

Press Release

Last week, Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Bill Keating (D-MA) introduced H.R. 1616, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act, to help both the United States and European countries attain global energy security while also encouraging a diversification of energy sources and supply routes throughout the region.

"The United States is the world's top energy producer, where American oil output has more than doubled over the last ten years. We know that the Russian Federation has long used energy as a weapon to coerce, manipulate, and create conflict among European governments. This legislation would help our European partners develop and diversify their own energy sources, which would increase their own security and defend against the malign activities of the Kremlin," said Congressman Kinzinger. "We have an opportunity to support our allies, and with U.S. diplomatic, political, and technical support, we can stop Russia from using energy as a means to threaten the security of our European partners. Thank you to my colleagues in the House and Senate for joining me in this effort to increase global energy security."

"Russia has long weaponized its grip on energy through Europe," said Congressman Keating. "In the face of growing threats to our security and that of our allies, we need to stand together as part of a strong and unified coalition. This bill is a major step forward in helping our European partners lessen Russian influence over the energy sector while also fostering EU-US cooperation, private investment, and low-carbon pathways. Winning solutions for our allies, our economies, and our climate are available, and this bipartisan, bicameral legislation works to advance them."

Congressmen Kinzinger and Keating were joined by their fellow House Foreign Affairs Committee colleagues, Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), as original co-sponsors of this legislation. The full text of H.R. 1616 can be found attached, or online here.

A Senate companion bill to H.R. 1616 was also introduced last week by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).

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