Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the recent decision by the Biden Administration to impose a pause on pending natural gas export terminals, a move he deemed “outrageous” and “subversive.”
In response to the announcement, Speaker Johnson expressed concern about the potential ramifications of stalling liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, specifically citing the impact on projects like Calcasieu Pass 2 in Louisiana. He argued that such decisions not only impede America’s economic growth but also play into the hands of adversaries like Vladimir Putin.
The Speaker highlighted the critical role of American petroleum producers in supplying LNG to European partners amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that increasing LNG shipments to Europe serves not only to prevent a continent-wide energy crisis but also to offer an alternative to Russian energy exports.
“It is outrageous that this administration is asking American taxpayers to spend billions to defeat Russia while knowingly forcing allies to rely on Russian energy, giving Putin an advantage,” Speaker Johnson declared. He further criticized the decision, asserting that it contradicts the commitments made when the White House announced the joint US-EU Task Force less than two years ago. The task force aimed to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russia and enhance energy security.
The statement reflects Speaker Johnson’s strong opposition to what he perceives as a detrimental policy change that could impact both the economic interests of the United States and its geopolitical strategies. The controversy surrounding natural gas exports is likely to fuel ongoing debates about energy security and international relations.
