Today, Joe Biden announced that he is pausing pending decisions on new Liquefied Natural Gas exports. This announcement by President Biden is as outrageous as it is subversive.

Let me be clear: such a move is economically and strategically perilous and, quite frankly, unnecessary. Over the years, both Democratic and Republican administrations have consistently affirmed that U.S. LNG exports not only contribute positive economic benefits but also enhance our energy security and have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

We find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Our European allies are in dire need of American energy to counter Russia's weaponization of its natural gas exports. In December 2023, a staggering 87 percent of U.S. LNG exports were directed towards the European Union, United Kingdom, or Asian markets. Actions that impede our ability to export U.S. LNG would weaken global energy security, putting strategic markets at risk and undermining efforts to reduce Europe's reliance on Russian energy.

The U.S. has more LNG export capacity than any other country and has exported more LNG than any other country.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, American petroleum producers have increased LNG shipments to our partners in Europe to prevent a catastrophic, continent-wide energy crisis and to provide 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. This policy change also flies in the face of the commitments made when the White House announced the joint US-EU Task Force less than two years ago to reduce Europe's dependence on Russia and strengthen energy security.

The only thing Joe Biden is committed to is destroying the American energy industry and putting America Last.

This week, I introduced critical energy legislation focused on the advancement of next generation pipelines. 

The Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act will strengthen public-private partnerships and improve Federal research, development, and demonstration related to the evolution of key pipeline systems across the country. As our Nation’s infrastructure is rapidly aging, this legislation ensures pipelines are modern, secure, and cost-effective, ready to take on our growing energy needs. The success of these systems and new infrastructure technologies will be essential to our international competitiveness, national security, energy independence, and beyond.

Highlights of the bill include:

• Authorizing the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Secretary of Interior, and others, to establish a demonstration initiative and joint research and development program for low-to mid-technology readiness level research projects to achieve deployment.
• Creating a National Pipeline Modernization Center at the Department of Energy, which will foster collaboration with industry and stakeholders to commercialize cost-effective products and procedures.
• Conducting a program at NIST of measurement research, development, demonstration, and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities and ensure their safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience.

Pipelines are the safest and most efficient ways to move the fuels that heat our homes, fuel our vehicles, and unleash our economy. The United States has over 2.6 million miles of pipelines. We must invest in research and development to ensure proper improvements and upgrades are made to our pipeline infrastructure. America’s pipelines continue to transport natural gas, liquid fuels, and feedstocks across the country as safely, reliably, and efficiently as possible. The Next Generation Pipeline Research and Development will be instrumental as we continue innovating and expanding our energy sources

This week, Team Weber attended the Bob Hope School Boots and Breakfast in Port Arthur, where NASA Astronaut Dr. José Hernández spoke to celebrate National School Choice Week. They also attended the ribbon cutting with the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce for Makenzie Layne Boutique in League City. Small businesses are the backbone of our community. 

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 7073 - To improve public-private partnerships and increase Federal research, development, and demonstration related to the evolution of next generation pipeline systems, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 7035 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
• H.R. 7044 - To ensure that women seeking an abortion are notified, before giving informed consent to receive an abortion, of the medical risks associated with the abortion procedure and the major developmental characteristics of the unborn child.
• H.Res. 974 - Expressing support for the designation of the week of January 21 through January 27, 2024, as "National School Choice Week".

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!