House locks China out of America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Jan. 12, 2023, Fairfax, Va.–Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a veto-proof bill to ban all sales of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China:

“The House of Representatives voted by a 331-97 margin for HR 22 to ban all sales of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.

“HR 22 by Representative Cathy McMorris-Rogers (R-WA) simply states, ‘This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.’”

“Incredibly, the Biden administration has been allowing Chinese Communist Party controlled companies to purchase the United States’ oil reserves that are designed for our nation’s national defense needs.  After the Biden team allowed the sale of SPR crude to a wholly owned subsidiary of China’s state owned oil company last year among other Chinese government purchasers, Speaker Kevin McCarthy has made it a priority to stop Biden from draining the tank and propping up China’s economy.

“It is truly sad that this legislation had to be passed by the House to prevent selling our oil to the Chinese government, but the broad bi-partisan support will hopefully carryover to Senate passage with a veto proof majority.  Americans for Limited Government praises this first step in holding the Chinese communist government accountable for their abuses of freedom both at home and around the world.”

For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.

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