Democrats’ war on energy and President Biden’s strategy on relations with Russia have increased our oil prices and threatens to leave us energy dependent instead of independent. This has emboldened Vladimir Putin to launch a full-scale armed conflict -- the likes of which we have not seen in Europe since WWII.

It is time for America to be the leader we have always been on the world stage and put an end to the policies that give Russia leverage. This includes: cancelling the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, reversing federal land drilling policy, prioritizing U.S. energy development, and coming together with our allies in the region to impose harsh sanctions.

If we fail to firmly stand with Ukraine and their people against this disgraceful attack, it won’t be long before China, Iran and North Korea will be emboldened as well.

Now is the time to be strong, stand by our allies in democracy and enact polices of long-term strength. The world is watching.

In typical fashion, the mainstream media is acting as President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ propaganda arm. CBS News ran a story yesterday following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and President Biden’s press conference, claiming rising energy prices, skyrocketing inflation, and supply chain crisis were due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

DON’T BE FOOLED: America’s economic, energy, and supply chain crises have been skyrocketing for the past year due to Biden and Congressional Democrats’ failed Far-Left agenda and anti-energy policies.
 
BIDEN’S ECONOMIC CRISIS BY THE NUMBERS:

• Biden’s first year in office went down as the worst year for inflation since 1981. 
• The consumer price index (CPI) surged 7.5% over the past year, the highest reading since February 1982, and higher than economists had predicted. 
• Americans are paying more for just about everything because of inflation.
• Inflation is going up faster than wages. 
• Real wages have decreased under Biden 8 out of the 12 months during his first year in office.
  • Skyrocketing inflation affects low-income workers and minority workers the most.
• Inflation is now costing the average American household OVER $250 a month.
• In 2021, inflation cost the average worker nearly two paychecks and cost the average family $3,500, but since inflation pushes families into higher tax brackets, it totals to $5,000 per year for the average family.

BIDEN’S ENERGY CRISIS BY THE NUMBERS: 

• The national average for a gallon of gas was $3.53 on Wednesday.
  • Americans are now paying an extra $12 for a tank of gas on average compared to a year ago.
  • Americans have not paid this much for gas since the Obama-Biden administration. 
• U.S. households will pay between $700 and $1,700 more for heat this winter, depending upon where they live and what type of fuel they use.
• According to a new report by the Heartland Institute, Biden’s anti-energy agenda cost Americans an extra $1,000 in energy costs last year. 
• Natural gas, which is used to heat nearly half of all U.S. homes, is 32% more expensive than it was a year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. 
• One in six American adults reported they could not pay their full energy bill in the last 12 months.

Instead of addressing the root causes of America’s economic crisis, the Biden administration is using the mainstream media to double down on their failed Far-Left Socialist agenda, which directly created the crises that are impacting all Americans. 

Last week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a non-partisan government watchdog agency, publicly released a new report that continues to document failures in leadership leading up to and on January 6th by the U.S. Capitol Police Board.

The report finds:

• The U.S. Capitol Police’s planning for January 6, 2021, did not reflect the potential for extreme violence aimed at the Capitol and did not include contingencies for support from other agencies.

• On January 6, the Capitol Police and the Capitol Police Board, which oversees the Capitol Police, used various different authorities to obtain assistance from about 2,000 personnel from outside agencies. However, the Capitol Police and the Board lacked clear, detailed procedures to guide their decisions about which authority to use or the steps to follow in obtaining assistance.

• The Capitol Police’s process for assessing and mitigating physical security risks to the Capitol complex is not comprehensive or documented. Also, how the Capitol Police Board considers and decides which physical security recommendations made by the Capitol Police should be implemented is unclear.

The GAO had made four recommendations to the Capitol Police Board and the Capitol Police as a result of this report. It should be noted that the Capitol Police Board did not take a position on GAO’s recommendations. The Capitol Police agreed with GAO’s recommendations.

These findings continue to support what House Administration Republicans have been saying about the problems with the Capitol Police Board and the need for reform.

Read the full report HERE. 

• H.R. 6811 - To permit civil actions against the United States or any State or local government entity for COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
• H.R. 6817 - To amend the of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove certain weapons from the definition of firearms for the purposes of the National Firearms Act, and for other purposes.

I had the privilege of recognizing three League City Police Officers for their years of outstanding service.

Detective Angie Strachan - 25 years

Officer John Griffith - 30 years

Detective Jason Clifton - 20 years

Thank you for your bravery and dedication to our community!

I had the honor to be invited to speak at the 4th Energy Sustainability Forum. Houston used to be the “Oil Capital” of the country, then the “Energy Capital.” Now, Houston is the “Sustainable Energy Capital.” We must work to find ways to continue the energy dominance that we have developed here in the US while balancing sustainable options and resources.

This afternoon I stopped by the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce luncheon where State Representative Dr. Greg Bonnen gave his State of the State update!

Friends, 

Although many Americans may prefer that the U.S. stay out of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the brewing violence and political fallout are already hurting their wallets.

The price of oil, which has been rising over the past year, hit an eight-year high this week as traders reacted to geopolitical tensions. Gas prices are likely to surge even further if the ongoing hostilities escalate or if U.S. lawmakers pass another round of sanctions, according to experts.

But I want to hear from you!