Washington, D.C. — Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, today voted to pass H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act. This bill prohibits the Secretary of Energy from releasing products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), except in times of severe energy supply interruption, and requires the Secretary to develop a plan to increase the same percentage of federal lands leases for oil and gas production.

“Today, House Republicans upheld another commitment to Americans by holding President Biden accountable for his war on American energy and passed legislation to protect our Strategic Petroleum Reserve,” said Rep. Webster. “Energy independence is a national security issue. This bill is a step in the right direction to replenish the SPR and restore American’s energy independence.”
 
Rather than embrace American energy production, President Biden has put U.S. national security at risk by selling off nearly 40% of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), bringing U.S. supply to its lowest level in decades in an attempt to stabilize gas prices. Additionally, President Biden sold nearly one-million barrels of oil to companies affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, resulting in China having the world’s largest government stockpile of oil. 
 
During the debate, Rep. Webster supported an amendment offered by Congressman Gaetz that ensures Florida’s gulf coast is protected from oil drilling. This amendment came to the floor due to changes in procedure brought by the Republican majority. For the first time in seven years, Members of Congress could offer amendments to the legislation – something Rep. Webster has advocated for since 2015. This change allows more members to make their voices heard and restores a more open and transparent process to the peoples’ house.