U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), the ranking member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee on Appropriations, has taken a firm stance against the Biden administration’s pause on new and pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal, Kennedy criticized the administration’s policy, asserting that it will have detrimental effects on the nation’s economy and national security.
Kennedy announced his intention to block all of President Biden’s nominees to the State Department and the Department of Energy until the administration ends what he perceives as hostility toward LNG production. The senator emphasized the negative impact of the policy on American jobs, industry investments, and the country’s standing in global energy markets.
In the op-ed, Kennedy challenged the administration’s justification for the pause, stating, “The White House claims this is necessary because the Energy Department based its permit reviews on five-year-old data. That’s their story. Here’s the truth: Climate warriors want President Biden to destroy America’s fossil-fuel industry, but he doesn’t want to pull the trigger himself.”
Kennedy singled out the Calcasieu Pass 2 export terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, as an example, highlighting the significant investments and job opportunities at stake. He argued that there is no environmental justification for the policy, pointing out the role of natural gas in reducing carbon emissions and driving job creation.
In a direct challenge to the administration, Kennedy stated, “Until President Biden drops this battle against American energy, I’m going to block every nominee he tries to place at the State and Energy Departments. Like the Terminator, I’ll be back again and again to stop his nominees and remind the world that he’s intentionally killing jobs and threatening our national security to placate confused climate extremists.”
