Pfluger: Biden SPR release “Purely Political”
Thursday, March 31st, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) released a statement following President Biden’s announcement that his administration will release an unprecedented amount of oil from our Nation’s emergency reserves and levy increased fees on federal oil and gas leaseholders:
“President Biden is putting our country into a dangerous situation by drawing down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to the lowest level since 1984 with the largest release of our national reserve ever—one million barrels per day for the next six months. The SPR is of huge strategic importance to our national security and economic stability in times of war. Our foreign adversaries know the Biden Administration lacks a strong energy strategy, and his demonization of American oil and gas producers with his policies is shameful and purely political.
“Rather than tapping into our reserves, President Biden should be approving pipelines, cutting the bureaucratic red tape, and fixing the supply chain issues that oil and gas producers are experiencing in my district every day. The Administration needs to be advocating for American producers, not against them. President Biden must not play politics with such a critical issue. Energy security is national security.”
Pfluger Statement on Biden Meeting with Reed Family
Thursday, March 31st, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) met with Granbury residents Paula and Joey Reed in his Washington, DC office. Wednesday night, Paula and Joey met with President Biden regarding the detainment of their son Trevor— a U.S. Marine Veteran who has been held by Vladimir Putin as a political pawn since August 2019.
Representative August Pfluger: “Paula and Joey are tireless advocates for their son Trevor, and I am extremely proud of the work they are doing every day to bring him home. I am pleased that President Biden took the time to personally meet with them in the White House. It is a huge comfort to Paula and Joey, and all who know and love Trevor, that the President of the United States is aware of his case and working to secure his release. I will continue to lead the effort in Congress to raise awareness to Putin’s illegal detainment of Trevor Reed. I will not rest until he is safely home in Texas.”
Congressman Pfluger has been a vocal advocate for the release of Trevor Reed:
- Early this month, Congressman Pfluger publicly called for President Biden to meet with Paula and Joey when the President visited Texas.
- Last year, Congressman Pfluger passed a bipartisan, bicameral resolution calling for the immediate release of Trevor Reed.
- He has held multiple press conferences with the Reeds and Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle;
- Repeatedly questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Trevor’s case;
- Sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to President Biden calling for him to address the arrest of Trevor and Paul Whelan, who is also detained in Russia.
Pfluger Introduces Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure
Wednesday, March 30th, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Cyber Deterrence and Response Act of 2022. The bill works to deter foreign nation-states from perpetuating cyberattacks against American critical infrastructure—including the energy sector.
Representative August Pfluger (TX-11): “In the midst of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the eyes of the world have turned to the Permian Basin to provide energy security not only to our country—but our allies and partners as well. Yesterday, it was reported that Russian hackers are seeking ways to exploit energy companies across the world. We must have a framework in place that the Biden Administration can use to properly hold bad actors accountable. I am proud to introduce a bill that accomplishes that goal. In these times of uncertainty, we must take whatever necessary actions to help protect our Nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks perpetuated by foreign nations. Energy security is National security, and the work that happens in the Permian Basin has never been more important.”
Background:
- The bill deters would-be cyber-attackers sponsored by foreign nation-states by clarifying that the United States would respond to serious attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure.
- Compels the President to respond to a cyberattack either with sanctions or a classified/ unclassified report for Congress to explain why they are not acting to create more accountability for the Executive.
- Protects the energy sector by codifying its designation as critical infrastructure.