HEAT Leaders Blast Biden Administration For Delaying Rollout of Five-Year Offshore Leasing Plan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and HEAT Co-Chairs Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration delayed its release of a five-year offshore oil and natural gas leasing plan, breaking a promise made by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland that the Administration would roll out a new leasing plan by June 30, when the previous five-year plan expired.

"The Administration's decision to delay the release of a new five-year offshore leasing plan proves that President Biden doesn't care about the pain at the pump he is causing hard-working families due to his anti-American energy agenda. This President refuses to accept responsibility for his failed policies which are hurting families through runaway inflation and record-high gas prices.

"Secretary Haaland broke her promise to deliver the Administration's plan by June 30, the day in which the current leasing plan expired. This plan should have been released long before yesterday. This most recent delay shows that the Biden Administration will continue the keep-it-in-the-ground agenda that has led to skyrocketing gas prices.

"Hard-working families across the country are paying dearly for President Biden's self-created energy crisis. They're being forced to choose between filling their tanks or feeding their families.

"With no new plan in place, new leasing cannot occur, and planning and investments for future production will stall, making America more dependent on foreign countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia to produce the oil we need to run our lives. We call on the Biden Administration to immediately announce a new offshore leasing plan and open up American energy production so we can lower gas prices and ease the pain that families are feeling at the pump and the grocery store."