This week, we had a hearing on President Biden's LNG export ban in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Less than two weeks ago, the Biden administration announced that it would impose an indefinite ban on the issuance of LNG export permits to non-Free Trade Agreement countries while it conducts a review to consider the climate impacts of natural gas. For Southeast Texas, that means that two LNG facilities being built, Port Arthur and Golden Pass LNG, will be put on hold. LNG exports strengthen energy security, create jobs, decrease energy prices here at home, and lower emissions globally. This reckless decision will cost our community thousands of jobs, impact the local economy drastically, and leave us more reliant on China. 

Southeast Texas is uniquely placed on the coast, full of refineries and ports to ship our precious oil and gas to our allies across the world. The Sabine-Neches Waterway is projected to become the largest LNG exporter in the United States, but President Biden just killed that with a stroke of a pen. If President Biden were serious about environmental stewardship, he would unleash the production and export of clean, affordable, and reliable American natural gas—which has allowed us to reduce emissions more than any other nation. 

I will continue to fight against this ban and urge the President to reverse course because it will majorly impact Southeast Texas and our entire nation. 

BACKGROUND: 

• On January 26, President Biden froze the approval process for new U.S. LNG export sites, prioritizing the wishes of radical activists over U.S. energy security and the security of our allies.
• Studies show that LNG exports could add upwards of $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create upwards of 453,000 American jobs, and increase U.S. held purchasing power by $30 billion.
• Over the past seven years, the U.S. has increased its LNG export capacity from zero to 11.6 billion cubic feet per day. During the same period, the spot price of U.S. natural gas has remained relatively stable and affordable.
• These actions will weaken global energy security, halt investment in American energy, and jeopardize U.S. energy leadership.

Team Weber joined the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce this week at a ribbon cutting for Coburn Supply Company. They also attended the Texas EquuSearch; the company has assisted in thousands of cases throughout the US and abroad, giving some form of resolution to troubled families and closure to many criminal cases. Team Weber presented a flag to Tim Miller, the founder and director, for the 24 years of dedication to searching for lost loved ones. Yesterday, I joined the City of Galveston to tour and discuss their plans for Scholes International Airport. This morning, I met with folks from the American Jewish Committee to discuss hostages in Israel. I also met with Constable West in League City to discuss issues impacting our area. 

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 7176 - To repeal restrictions on the export and import of natural gas.
• H.R. 7273 - To rescind certain unobligated balances relating to charging and fueling grants and national electric vehicle grants.
• H.R. 7280 - To require the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to testify before the Congress annually, and for other purposes.
• H.J.Res. 114 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitting by the Federal Highway Administration relating to "National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure".
• H.R. 7246 - To prohibit certain persons from purchasing real estate in the United States.
• H.Con.Res. 90 - Condemning the Biden administration for its ban on the issuance of liquefied natural gas export permits.
• H.Res. 1001 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that former President Donald J. Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
• H.R. 7109 - To require a citizenship question on the decennial census, to require reporting on certain census statistics, and to modify apportionment of Representatives to be based on United States citizens instead of all persons.
• H.R. 7202 - To direct the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on funding provided by the United States to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and for other purposes.
• H.R. 7206 - To designate the United Nations Relief and Works Agency as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 7235 - To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for a legislative line-item veto to expedite consideration of rescissions, and cancellations of items of new direct spending and limited tax benefits.
• H.Res. 965 - Calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.
• H.R. 7183 - To prohibit Federal funds from being used to provide certain gender transition procedures to minors.
• H.R. 7187 - To modify eligibility requirements for amateur sports governing organizations.
• H.R. 7195 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect and enhance the mailing of firearms, ammunition, and components thereof.
• H.R. 7196 - To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the impacts of seasonal and nonresident homeownership on data collected by the Bureau of the Census, and for other purposes.
• H.J.Res. 110 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Treasury relating to "Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds".
• H.J.Res. 111 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Furnaces".

It is a privilege to represent our district in Congress.  While we’ve faced many challenges in recent years, through strength and prayer, we have persevered. 

Please know that we are always a resource for you.  Call or stop by any of the offices (YOUR offices, we work for you), whenever you need assistance or want to talk about an issue before Congress.

For assistance or more information, please call or go online to visit us at weber.house.gov.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!