Thursday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm spoke during a House Energy and Commerce hearing on President Joe Biden’s proposed budget.
Granholm defended the Biden administration’s energy policies by saying, “The Department of Energy is using every tool available to increase oil supply. We’re meeting with international allies and partners. We’ve committed to release another 60 million barrels [from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve].”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) wasn’t buying Granholm’s defense and pressed her further on the issue.
“Why are you pushing policies that are making life miserable for people?” He asked. “You have the power to unleash American energy.”
Granholm argued that the higher prices were a result of the war in Ukraine, causing Palmer to openly disagree.
“Members of your party,” Palmer said to Granholm, “my Democrat colleagues held a hearing a hearing last October, called the CEO of Exxon a liar and demanded the reduce production. We had a hearing just a few weeks ago in this committee and accused them of reducing production so that they could increase prices. You can’t have it both ways.”
The congressman then accused her and the Biden administration of neglecting to take the steps needed to get gas prices down.
“What this administration’s doing, what your agency is doing,” he argued, “is not doing the things they need to do to open up these resources, which would not only bring down the price of energy but would be to help defeat Russia in Ukraine.”
Palmer also responded on Twitter, saying, “Despite Democrats spending two years dismantling American energy production, [Sec. Granholm] had the audacity to blame high gas prices on oil companies and Russia.”
Despite Democrats spending two years dismantling American energy production, @SecGranholm had the audacity to blame high gas prices on oil companies and Russia. The facts are clear, the Biden Administration is to blame for American energy costs.https://t.co/nu3sk3SCX9
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) April 28, 2022
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11am on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
