WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of confirmation votes for Governor Doug Burgum, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of the Interior, and Chris Wright, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be the Secretary of Energy.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“I rise today to talk about prices, energy, and the economy.
“My message is simple: Unleashing American energy will help lower prices. It is essential.
“Energy is often called the master resource. By controlling our own energy production, we control our own future.
“Not long ago, America was the leading producer of energy in the world. President Trump made America energy independent for the first time in decades.
“That changed in four short years under the prior administration. We went from energy dominance to energy dependence.
“The previous administration went on a regulatory rampage. It was disastrous. The result was painfully high prices for food and for fuel.
“Suddenly, Washington was attacking energy producers and energy workers in states like my home state of Wyoming. America found itself turning to adversaries for energy.
“Let me ask a simple question.
“Does anyone believe we were better off relying on dictators in China, Russia, Venezuela and Iran to power America?
“Does anyone believe we were better off when energy prices were sky high?
“Were Americans more prosperous?
“The answer is no.
“For the past four years, the previous administration treated energy as the enemy.
“Governor Doug Burgum and Chris Wright will treat American energy as the God-given blessing it is.
“Available, affordable, reliable, American energy is an asset.
“Energy is the source of American strength. It is a solution to bring down painfully high prices.
“America is an energy superpower. We should act like it.
“Working together, Governor Burgum and Chris Wright will be a powerhouse energy team.
“Governor Burgum grew up in Arthur, North Dakota – population: 400.
“He studied business at Stanford University. He built Great Plains, a software company, into a global public company.
“As Governor of North Dakota for the last 8 years, he drove his state’s transformation into an energy and technology leader.
“Instead of blocking energy production, he invited and incentivized companies to operate in North Dakota. In turn, his state produced more and more energy.
“In his Senate hearing, Governor Burgum explained this success.
“He said, ‘We live in a time of tremendous abundance, and we can access that abundance by prioritizing innovation over regulation.’
“He is spot on.
“I questioned Governor Burgum in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“We have more than 600,000 acres of federal land in Wyoming that were previously approved for energy production.
“The previous administration never offered those acres for lease.
“It also blocked using land even though energy explorers purchased the right to that land over 4 years ago.
“I am glad Governor Burgum committed to quickly address this issue. He will take the common-sense action of unlocking our lands for oil and gas production.
“Chris Wright is also an innovative leader.
“He studied nuclear fusion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then worked in solar and geothermal engineering.
“At Liberty Energy – a fracking company he founded and where he is currently the CEO – Wright’s creative, data-driven leadership kickstarted the American fracking revolution.
“What I like most about Mr. Wright is that he tells the truth about energy production.
“He acknowledges climate change is real. He knows more American energy is the solution, not the problem. His energy realism is welcomed news.
“When I spoke with Mr. Wright in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, we agreed about the need for an all-of-the-above energy strategy,
including nuclear energy.
“Mr. Wright agrees with me that it is not in America’s best interest to be dependent on imported uranium from Russia.
“Congress passed my legislation to ban the import of Russian uranium in the United States. The Secretary of Energy has discretion to provide waivers to companies to import Russian uranium.
“I am pleased that Mr. Wright committed to using these waivers only in very limited and extreme circumstances.
“He also pledged to work with us to end uranium imports from Communist China.
“These are positive steps towards rebuilding America’s nuclear supply.
“Both Governor Burgum and Mr. Wright are optimistic about America’s energy future.
“I strongly support them. They are America’s energy all stars.
“They have laid out an inspiring vision for lowering prices, building up our energy supply, and dealing with our adversaries from a position of strength.
“Later today, the Senate will vote to confirm Governor Burgum. Chris Wright’s confirmation will soon follow. They deserve strong support here in the Senate.
“With their leadership, the age of climate alarmism is over. The golden age of American energy dominance is here.”
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