Paul Gosar: “Mr. Chairman, energy security is national security. As the 119th Congress works to protect and strengthen America's…”

“Mr. Chairman, energy security is national security. As the 119th Congress works to protect and strengthen America's energy backbone, we have a responsibility to ensure our decisions are informed, transparent, and grounded in vigorous oversight. The American people expect us to safeguard the systems that power their homes, businesses, and daily lives. My amendment is straightforward and common sense. It directs the Secretary of Energy to identify any vulnerabilities to our domestic energy grid that may arise from noncitizens' access to U.S. facilities that generate or transmit electricity. That is it. It creates no prohibition, no hiring restrictions, and no burdens on industry. It simply asks for information, information Congress needs to do its job. The numbers alone underscore the importance of this issue. According to the report, the Department of Energy's 2024 Energy Employment by State report, my great State of Arizona employs more than 135,000 energy workers, including 25,000 in power generation and another 25,000 in transmission. Comparably, in Texas, 1 million Americans work in the energy sector. These are enormous workforces operating critical infrastructure that keeps our country moving. Under Article I, Section 8, Congress has clear constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate and interregional commerce. Electricity, the last time I looked, doesn't stop at State lines.”