Congressman Zinke Votes To Protect America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve From China

Today, Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke co-sponsored the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) From China Act introduced by Representative McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). This vote places restricting measures on the Secretary of Energy from selling products from the SPR to any entity owned, under the control or influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or to any other entity that intends to export to China. 

This action protects Americans from bad actors around the world who have negative intentions for our country’s economic prosperity, are lax on environmental regulations that cause harm on our natural resources and are positioning themselves at a threatening angle to our national security. 

Congressman Zinke released this statement following his vote: 

“It is inexcusable of the Biden administration to sell off an ounce of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to anyone other than the American people, much less the Chinese Communist Party,” said Zinke. “The simple answer to providing relief to Americans and jobs to Montanans is to take the handcuffs off American energy producers and get back to doing business here where it is safer for our land, places us in a better strategic position for national security and puts money back into the American economy. Instead, Biden would rather fist bump over crooked deals with Middle Eastern terrorists, Chinese communists, and shady characters in South America.” 

BACKGROUND:

Starting in 2021, the Biden administration began its war on American energy causing a loss of thousands of jobs, record-breaking inflation and placed America in a vulnerable position by forcing us to rely on energy sources outside our borders. Now, Americans are paying more to fuel their cars, heat their homes and put food on the table. Meanwhile, the executive branch still has no effective plan to bring relief leaving it up to the Republican House majority to correct their mistakes. 

TIMELINE: 

January 2021 – Biden revokes the Keystone XL pipeline permit 
January 2021 – Biden blocks federal oil and gas leases
January 2022 – Biden revokes Alaska NPRA lease sale
February 2022 – Biden begs Saudis for oil
March 2022 – Biden releases first batch of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
June 2022 – Gas prices hit an all-time national high average at $5 per gallon  
June 2022 – Gas prices in Montana hit an all-time average high at $4.97 per gallon of gasoline - $5.91 for diesel
 

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