Click here to watch Ranking Member Barrasso’s remarks.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) delivered the following remarks on the Senator floor encouraging senators to support his amendment forcing Democrats to choose between American energy or dictators.

Barrasso is ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR).

Senator Barrasso’s remarks: 

 “I rise in support of the amendment to require the secretary of the Interior to conduct supplemental onshore oil and gas lease sales by the end of 2022. 

“The Biden administration went eighteen months without holding quarterly lease sales, as required by the Mineral Leasing Act. 

“The failure to hold lease sales has contributed to high gasoline and natural gas prices, record inflation, and it’s increased our dependence on foreign adversaries. 

“When the secretary finally was forced to hold sales in June, she reduced the available acreage by 80 percent. 

“This amendment would require the secretary to hold supplemental lease sales this year, offering the previously deferred acreage which has gone through multiple rounds of environmental review. 

“Instead of pleading with dictators in other countries to increase oil and gas production, we should expand American production. 

“My amendment will do just that.

“For people who care about the pain at the pump, I would ask other senators to join in support.”

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