GOP members criticize Biden’s pause on new LNG exports

Several Republicans rebuked a decision issued on Jan. 26 by the White House to pause new or pending applications to export liquified natural gas (LNG) to non-Free Trade Agreement countries until the U.S. Department of Energy can update the underlying analyses for authorizations.

U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Steve Scalise (R-LA) on the same day issued separate statements condemning the plan, in which the Energy Department will initiate a process to update the assessments used to inform whether additional LNG export authorization requests to non-Free Trade Agreement countries are in the public interest. 

“This is an outrageous attack on American energy in the latest example of the White House caving to radical extremists without giving a single thought to the impact on our energy and national security,” said House Majority Leader Scalise. 

“Not only does this decision jeopardize American economic growth, American jobs, and American energy security,” he added, “but it risks cutting off energy supplies to our allies in Europe when they need it the most.” 

Rep. McMorris Rodgers, chair of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, called the decision “another gift to Putin.” 

“President Biden’s decision to indefinitely pause LNG export permits prioritizes the wishes of radical activists over U.S. energy security and the security of our allies,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “Everyday Americans want our energy unleashed to strengthen the economy, safeguard jobs, and keep us secure. That’s what Republicans will continue to fight for.” 

Rep. Cole said the administration’s “utterly outrageous” decision is another “short-sighted call” that he also thinks will be detrimental to the United States and its European allies.

“Many nations depend on our energy production, and this is putting their security at risk as tensions from adversaries are on the rise. Moreover, this is deeply unfair to our own energy industry and the American consumer,” the congressman said. “The Biden administration is yet again succumbing to environmental groups and the far-left faction of the Democratic Party by working against our own American companies and workforce.”

The Energy Department said on Friday that the temporary pause on pending applications will not affect already authorized exports, nor the nation’s ability to supply its allies in Europe, Asia, or other recipients of already authorized U.S. exports, according to a statement.