Strategic Production Response Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment today to ensure that the President and the Secretary of Energy are able to use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve without arbitrary limitations during a time of war.

This amendment allows for the U.S. to have the full capabilities of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at its disposal without restrictions for as long as Russia continues to illegally attack Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched an illegal invasion of Ukraine, altering the geopolitical landscape, not only in Europe but across the globe. President Biden and our allies took swift and significant action to support Ukraine by banning Russian energy imports. These actions have put pressure on Putin and allowed Ukraine to continue defending its sovereignty, and with it, our democratic ideals.

Putin's war has caused a global energy crisis which has been exacerbated by increased demand as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Americans felt the energy and gas prices rising as U.S. energy suppliers worked to meet the need. Thankfully, the U.S. has the strategic reserve at its disposal. This reserve is the world's largest supply of emergency crude oil with the sole purpose of meeting energy demands in times of crisis.

President Biden smartly utilized all the tools at his disposal to limit energy supply constraints and released enough barrels of crude oil to fill the gap left by Russian oil. Experts show that Biden's actions helped lower the price of gasoline for Americans everywhere from 13 to 31 cents a gallon.

Sadly, almost 1 year later, the international landscape continues to be in crisis. We are no closer to re-establishing Ukrainian sovereignty, while Russia continues to launch offenses.

Until Ukraine is free, until Ukrainians feel safe, until Russia is held accountable, our global energy markets are at risk.

I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

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Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Chair, for these purposes, the subject matter can be construed as preventing certain SPR drawdowns until the administration develops a production increase plan. This amendment narrowly addresses the same subject matter without broadening the plan. Rather, it ensures a timeline conducive with our current state of international crisis.

This amendment says the plan can't be implemented before the Secretary of Energy certifies that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has ended. It does not condition the effectiveness of the bill, nor does it require any extraneous action or bring any new statute or new committees of jurisdiction.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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