Let's prioritize jobs, economics and sound policies

Less than one month ago, the nation and the world listened as President Joe Biden gave his inauguration speech. He emphasized the need for unity, bipartisan work, and it seemed to hit all of the right notes. I was glad to hear the president say he wanted to work with Republicans. While I'm a strong constitutional conservative, I've never had a problem reaching across the aisle to find common ground on the issues affecting Americans. Unfortunately, in the weeks since, the actions of the Biden/Harris administration have not lived up to the rhetoric he espoused on Inauguration Day. In northwest Ohio, my constituents care more about walking the walk than talking the talk. Since Jan. 20, President Biden has signed 49 executive actions and counting. From sending money overseas to pay for abortions to weakening efforts to secure the border, the president's actions have been unilateral and partisan. Nowhere have these actions been more devastating than in the energy sector. Over the previous four years, America regained its status as the world leader in energy production — becoming the leader in both oil and natural gas production. We now rely less on an unstable Middle East for our energy needs, we've created countless jobs here at home, and the cost to fill up our tanks or heat our homes has stayed low for American families. The Biden administration's actions threaten all of this progress and the future of American energy security. For instance, withdrawing the presidential permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline is already costing thousands of American manufacturing and construction jobs and will jeopardize energy security for the country at a time when Americans need stability more than ever. As the country struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic effects, President Biden used his pen on Day 1 to eliminate American jobs. And that's not all. By imposing a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, the Biden administration is undermining our energy security, sacrificing American jobs in the oil and gas industries, increasing costs to consumers, and threatening the $11.7 billion tax revenue stream that goes to fund critical health care and educational programs at the federal, state, local and tribal levels. At the same time, President Biden signed an executive order for the United States to rejoin the Paris Climate Accords. All this means is that the United States will comply with draconian international standards while countries like China are let off the hook. This is happening despite the fact that the United States has seen the greatest reduction in emissions in the world since 2006. In fact, the president's actions could undo some of these efforts. For example, a federal leasing ban would undercut natural gas development that has been possible due to advancements in hydraulic fracturing technology. The growth of clean natural gas has been the biggest reason for the United States leading the world when it comes to reducing emissions, and the Biden administration's actions threaten our progress and the jobs that come with it. According to an American Petroleum Institute study, a federal leasing ban would mean our GDP could decline by a whopping $700 billion in less than 10 years, consumers could spend a cumulative $19 billion more on energy in the same time frame, and 1 million jobs could be lost by 2022. All in pursuit of unrealistic and extreme policies like the Green New Deal. This threatens all we have done to make the United States energy secure. It is possible to pursue smart environmental protection policies while also utilizing our natural resources to meet energy demands. Energy produced on federal lands and waters plays a critical role in America's energy revolution, accounting for 12% of U.S. natural gas production and nearly a quarter of U.S. oil production. Because of the grave consequences that would result from the president's extreme executive actions, Congress should assert its constitutional prerogative and have a say in the matter. That is why I am an original cosponsor of the Safeguarding Oil and Gas Leasing and Permitting Act. This legislation would prohibit the moratorium on federal oil and gas leasing without Congressional action. I have also joined my colleagues in calling for President Biden to reconsider his dangerous and sweeping actions against America's energy producers. Now is the time to stand up and be heard. If the goal of this administration is to unify the nation, then it must put jobs, the economy and sound environmental policies first. Unilateral actions that would put Americans out of work and undermine American energy security cannot be the way forward. Congressman Latta, R-Bowling Green, represents Ohio's fifth district.