On Monday, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security was in Port Arthur, Texas for a field hearing on the dangers of President Biden's decision to halt American LNG exports.

Southeast Texas is the backbone of the American energy industry. It is a major energy hub, home to many oil and gas facilities, including several LNG export terminals. President Biden's halt on LNG export directly impacts our great community in Port Arthur. It will threaten thousands of jobs and billions in investments. 

This uncertainty will chill investment, discourage planned investment in natural gas production, and have lasting impacts on the thriving energy industry here in our backyard. It is clear this decision is politically driven and reflective of an administration that continues to put the priorities of environmentalists over the interests of the American people.

It was a great hearing and brought light to how LNG facilities play a huge role in our community. The first witness, the Mayor of Port Arthur, Thurman Bartie, talked about the negative impact on the economic growth and stability of Port Arthur. He said, "The jobs Arthurans have during this construction phase will be compromised negatively if the permitting is continued to be disallowed." We heard from the President of Lamar State College, Dr. Betty Reynard, who talked about the growth in scholarship opportunities that are being provided for students by the LNG industry and the growth in college programs for LNG-related careers and internships from LNG companies. We also heard the Executive Director/CEO of the Port of Port Arthur, Larry Kelley, about the direct impact of maritime commerce and the jobs it supports. 

I am grateful for the witnesses and community members who joined us today to shed light on this critical issue.

I wanted to share my opening remarks I gave during the hearing: 

“It is great to be in Southeast Texas today with the Energy and Commerce Committee, and it is going to be a good afternoon to highlight the Energy Capital of the World and soon to be the LNG hub for the United States.  

“Thank you, Chairman Duncan, the Energy and Commerce Staff, and my team for organizing this timely and important field hearing today to talk about the positive impacts that LNG facilities play in a community, like Port Arthur, and especially how the reckless decision by President Biden will have a ripple effect throughout our great district in Southeast Texas.  

“Everyone who has gathered here today knows firsthand how critical the LNG industry is to Port Arthur, families, and small business owners. It is critical for the economic development of this great city, and it's critical for the next generation currently studying at Lamar State College Port Arthur to pursue a career in the LNG industry. 

“And guess what? These critical investments will disappear with Joe Biden's LNG export ban.  

“Just a few miles away from here is the home of Port Arthur LNG and Golden Pass LNG, both of which provide THOUSANDS of direct jobs and BILLIONS of dollars back into our community.  

“I would be remiss if I did not mention Cheniere LNG, a stone's throw across the border in that other foreign country, Louisiana, which also employs Texans.  

“My district is also home to Freeport LNG, located in Brazoria country, where these investments benefit the communities there.” 

"Joe Biden's ban directly jeopardizes Port Arthur LNG, which broke ground on construction last month. They have been fully approved for their Phase One project and will hire upwards of 6,000 jobs with more than 100 contracts with local vendors for construction valued at more than $160 million.  

“When the ban was announced, they were in the process of applying through the permits and approvals process for Phase Two, which is an expansion that would help meet future demand for U.S. LNG supplies for Europe, Asia, and other global markets.  

“This abrupt, politically-motivated ban brings this project to a screeching halt. This ban will cost Southeast Texas thousands of jobs and hurt businesses that rely on projects like these.” 

“Today, we want to highlight how Lamar State College Port Arthur has been able to start a program here to teach and equip the next generation of LNG workers.  

“These LNG companies have donated money, given scholarships, and partnered with local colleges and high schools.  

“We want to highlight the investments that LNG companies are making to restore marine habitats, improve infrastructure like highways and bridges, not to mention the work they do in the community, like donating meals, gifts, and partnering with local groups for projects.  

“I could go on and on about the positive role these companies play in our community and our entire nation.  

“While this administration and some of my colleagues in Congress are demonizing American LNG without any regard for the countless benefits it brings, I trust this hearing today will bring some reality to them.  

“It is a reality that American LNG leads to American energy dominance, American jobs, and American leadership overseas. 

“I want to thank each of the witnesses for taking time out of their busy lives to share their perspectives with the Committee today. And thank you to all the familiar faces in the crowd for being here.”

Passed in 2008 by Congress, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) granted the government greater powers to conduct surveillance of suspected foreign terrorists. However, Section 702 has become a go-to resource for the government to access Americans' communications without the proper protections afforded by a warrant. The FBI conducted up to 200,000 warrantless searches of the communications of American citizens in 2022 alone using the Section 702 database. 

These abuses are ongoing and will continue unless we prohibit warrantless searches of Americans. Rogue elements of the FBI "upper echelon" used FISA in their underhanded attempt to derail the 2016 election and to circumvent the will of the American People in electing Donald Trump. If they did that to Trump: they will do that to others.

Eighty-six of my Republican colleagues voted against an amendment to require a warrant if they spy on Americans. I supported this amendment.  It did not pass, and I ultimately could not support the final passage of the FISA reauthorization. 

The Constitution is clear, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

I am strongly opposed to the federal government unconstitutionally surveilling American citizens.

This week, I co-sponsored the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024, led by U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22). Our nation’s domestic shrimpers are struggling to stay in business primarily because of foreign shrimp being dumped into U.S. markets, making it extremely difficult for shrimpers to continue operating. Sadly, it has been uncovered that U.S. taxpayer dollars are being used to finance foreign shrimp farm operations through International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is contributing to the demise of our nation’s shrimping industry.

Federal law USC 262(h) stipulates that the U.S. Department of the Treasury shall instruct United States Executive Directors at International Monetary Institutions to vote against any assistance by such institutions that facilitates an export commodity surplus that causes injury or harm to United States producers. Unfortunately, there have been limited circumstances where the Treasury has been in compliance with this law, and it is difficult to trace how U.S. Executive Directors at IFIs have complied or not complied with this no-vote mandate.

The bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024 would prohibit federal funds from being made available to IFIs to finance any activity relating to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp in any foreign country to the United States. Additionally, this legislation would trigger an investigation within the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) and require annual reports to Congress to track how U.S. Executive Directors at IFIs are complying with USC 262(h).

We have watched for years as foreign countries have increasingly tried to run our shrimpers out of business. Our shrimpers on the Gulf Coast are struggling to sell their catch, which has severely impacted their livelihoods. We must ensure that federal funds do not benefit foreign countries that are destroying our shrimpers in the United States. I will continue to fight with my colleagues to save our local shrimpers.

This week, it was great to have Texas' 14th District 2023 Congressional App Challenge winners in Washington, D.C.. Raeef Dean, a Clear Springs High School freshman in League City, coded and designed an impressive app, ProtectEd. He spent long hours developing an app to enhance school safety and operational efficiency. His innovative app is a testament to the incredible skills of high school students. I am excited to see the next generation of tech leaders stepping up.

Check out this video for a walk through of his app: https://youtu.be/cwM0uO4G31o

The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2024, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.