In a call for increasing domestic energy production, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) on Friday announced that he had introduced a resolution slamming the Biden administration for turning to Iran and Venezuela for oil imports.

Palmer, a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, outlined the policies instituted by President Joe Biden that the congressman asserted had served to increase energy costs.

“Energy and gas prices began to rise as soon as President Biden took office. Within his first weeks in office, he shut down domestic energy production by closing the Keystone Pipeline and putting a moratorium on production on federal lands,” noted Palmer in a release. “For the last year, we bought oil from Russia, which lined Putin’s coffers as he prepared to attack Ukraine. Biden is now negotiating with Venezuela and Iran for it, other dictatorships which hate American values and regularly commit human rights abuses. This is unconscionable and nonsensical.”

According to Palmer, purchasing oil from rogue nations such as Iran and Venezuela would weaken the United States’ “position on the world stage.”

“The United States sits on an abundance of energy resources. It makes no sense to rely on enemy regimes for our oil when we could produce it right here on our own lands,” declared Palmer. “It undermines our economy, emboldens our enemies, and weakens our position on the world stage. American energy independence will lead to a more prosperous America and a safer world. My colleagues and I are proud to introduce this resolution to censure the Biden Administration’s actions in seeking to purchase Venezuelan and Iranian oil and to call on the President to prioritize American energy independence.”

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL