U.S. Economic and National Security Should Rely on Domestic Production
By Rep. Liz Cheney
Putin’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine is the most significant threat to security and sovereignty in Europe since World War II. America and our allies have been united in our response, although there is more we can do.
I support the decision to ban the import of Russian oil, coal and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) as Putin wages this violent invasion.
Now, the U.S. must unleash domestic production so we can be the world’s energy arsenal, instead of allowing our adversaries like Iran or Venezuela to step into this void.
The Biden administration should reverse its ban on new leases and permits on public land. The administration should also lift all new regulations which limit fossil fuel production. In Wyoming and across the country, we have the resources and capabilities to increase production so we can return to American energy independence, provide crucial resources for our allies around the world and mitigate the higher gas prices and energy costs hardworking families are facing. This is imperative for economic and national security.
Wyoming and America’s agricultural producers must also be unleashed. Our ag producers are feeling the impact of global market instability, rising prices for inputs, increased federal regulation and other inflationary pressures. For months the U.S. has experienced problems with our supply chain and rising inflation. I have emphasized the importance of free market access for ranchers and livestock producers and am sponsoring legislation which would allow ranchers to get more of their product to the marketplace in an expedited fashion by permitting them to sell state-inspected meat across state lines.
Not only will this specific legislation help these producers move additional product and boost their bottom line, but it will increase the supply for consumers, leading to more reasonable costs and helping the economy while ensuring the meat going to market is safe. I have also cosponsored bills, including the Butcher Block Act, the Cattle Contract Library Act and the USA Beef Act to ensure there are free and fair markets for our farmers and ranchers.
The invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the need for our country to be energy and food independent. Our farmers and ranchers must be given the ability to do what they do best: feed the world. Americans have access to the most affordable and abundant food supply despite the litany of hurdles our agriculture industry faces.
Proposals such as this administration’s goal to ‘preserve’ 30 percent of all lands and waters by 2030, also known as 30×30, threaten this very independence, and the survival of some of our ag producers. This is why I have introduced legislation to protect private property rights from this threat.
We also need to reduce the power of the federal government and return decision making to local levels. To do that, I have introduced and sponsored legislation to reform the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and Waters of the U.S. It’s time for America to unleash our energy and ag industries and eliminate the harmful regulations hurting these industries and all Wyoming families. We need to reduce government spending and restore power and decision making to our local communities.
Wyoming knows our energy producers, our ag producers and our local officials are the best stewards of our land and resources. The federal government should get out of the way so Wyoming can do what Wyoming does best: produce the energy resources and ag products to power and feed the world.
Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) serves as Wyoming’s lone member of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives and was first elected in 2016, on a platform of pursuing conservative solutions to help create jobs, cut taxes and regulation, expand America’s energy, mining and ag industries and restoring America’s strength and power in the world.
