The HEAT Report

The HEAT Report is a weekly newsletter focusing on how members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) promote American energy security, and an all-of-the-above energy economy.

The Latest:

Last week, the Labor Department revealed that the consumer price index increased 7 percent over the last year — the fastest increase in nearly 40 years. This news dropped as Americans across the country are facing empty shelves at the grocery store, gas prices up 49 percent, and skyrocketing home-heating costs coming up on the one-year mark since President Biden took office.

Further, President Biden's State Department shamefully dispatched leading officials to Capitol Hill to persuade Senate Democrats to vote against legislation that would reestablish sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline that Biden waived as part of a major capitulation to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This ridiculous gift to Putin gives Russia the opportunity to expand its energy influence throughout Europe, while continuing to exert undue aggression against Ukraine. Biden had hoped that waiving sanctions on the Russian pipeline would dissuade Putin from antagonizing Eastern European countries, but instead, the result has been a further emboldened Russia that is determined to impose its will on our European allies.

Through nearly a year in office, America has been made less energy dominant as energy production is shut down and thousands of good-paying jobs are shipped overseas. President Biden must adopt an all-of-the-above energy strategy that puts America first — not our adversaries.

This Week's HEAT Member Highlights:

Representative Greg Pence (R-Ind.) toured the ClearFlame Engine Technologies facility in Columbus, Ind., to see the company's progress in decarbonizing diesel engines for heavy-duty industries.

Representative Steve Womack (R-Ark.) blasted Senate Democrats for failing to stand up to Vladimir Putin and empowering foreign energy while curtailing U.S. energy producers.

Representative Fred Keller (R-Pa.) participated in a joint forum with the Congressional Western Caucus and the House Natural Resources Committee to discuss the economic, national security, and energy benefits of developing critical minerals in the United States.

Representative Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) released a video recapping how he's fighting to help his constituents through President Biden's self-inflicted energy crisis.

House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland regarding the ongoing delays and uncertainty surrounding the federal lands and waters leasing programs asking that the Interior Department restart the regular leasing process.

Representative Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) hosted a forum focused on mining in Minnesota with Republican members on the House Natural Resources Committee and the Congressional Western Caucus. Rep. Stauber invited a 7-person panel of Minnesotans and other experts on the need for mining in America to participate in the conversation. He also celebrated Talon Metals' direct purchase agreement with Tesla, which plans to purchase 75,000 tons of nickel in Tamarack.

Headlines:

• Russia tightens grip on energy role as Europe enters crisis: Deputy PM blames 'short-sighted policy' (Fox News)
• Biden administration plans restriction on oil and gas leasing in Alaska (Washington Examiner)
• Germany could halt Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia attacks Ukraine (The Independent)
• Cruz's Nord Stream 2 sanctions bill fails in U.S. Senate (Reuters)
• The U.S. is divided over whether nuclear power is part of the green energy future (NPR)

The Response on Social Media:

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) pointed out how the mainstream media is finally acknowledging that inflation is having a direct impact on hardworking families as a result of President Biden's big government, socialist agenda.

HEAT Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) shared on social media how the failure of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline legislation to pass the Senate puts Washington Democrats' America-last energy policy on full display and emboldens Vladimir Putin while undercutting American security and energy.

Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change Ranking Member David McKinley, P.E. (R-W. Va.) blasted the Biden Administration for America's current energy crisis which has caused gas prices and home-heating costs to skyrocket.

Representative John Joyce (R-Pa.) criticized Washington Democrats for continuing their war on American energy.

Representative August Pfluger (R-Texas) called out Senate Democrats for using the filibuster to avoid sanctioning Vladimir Putin's Nord Stream 2 pipeline despite Russian aggression toward Ukraine. Rep. Pfluger also noted that despite abundant oil and natural gas throughout Colorado, the city of Boulder is urging residents to heat their homes by opening blinds and "harnessing sunshine."

Representative Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.)called out Washington Democrats for undermining American energy independence and emboldening Russia by refusing to place sanctions on the Nord Steam 2 pipeline.