McCaul Votes to Unleash American Energy Production, Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) voted for H.R. 1, the Lowering Energy Costs Act, to tackle the energy crisis caused by President Biden’s disastrous policies.
“Since his first day in office, President Biden has hamstrung the U.S. energy sector at every turn. As a result, record-high costs have made it difficult for many Americans to fill up their gas tanks and heat their homes,” said Rep. McCaul. “House Republicans are listening to their struggle; that’s why the Lower Energy Costs Act is our top priority. It’s time we empower Texas and other energy-rich states to help unleash American energy and restore the global leadership this administration destroyed.”
Today, gas prices remain more than 40 percent higher than when President Biden took office. Additionally, Americans are paying more to heat their homes than they have in 15 years. H.R. 1 would unleash American energy and lower costs for families by:
- Increasing domestic energy production
- Reforming the permitting process for all industries
- Reversing anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration
- Streamlining energy infrastructure and exports
- Boosting production and processing of critical minerals in the U.S.
Rep. McCaul is particularly pleased with provisions in H.R. 1 that boost production of critical minerals, which are found in batteries, electronics, medical supplies, and much more. China currently controls approximately 85 percent of the world’s refinery capacity for critical minerals. H.R. 1 would direct the government to designate mineral production as a priority project, which would help speed up project approvals and boost our ability to extract critical minerals.
“With all of America’s rich energy and critical mineral resources, there’s no excuse for us to grovel to our foreign nation adversaries for our most fundamental needs,” said Rep. McCaul. “I championed the CHIPS for America Act to pull the semiconductor supply chain out of Taiwan and China and bring it back to the U.S. It’s crucial we do the same with other national security assets, including rare earth minerals.”
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