Randy Weber: “This bill does not require a leasing plan if the Secretary of Energy determines that delaying a drawdown would increase…”

“This bill does not require a leasing plan if the Secretary of Energy determines that delaying a drawdown would increase gas prices. As has been previously stated, the SPR is not supposed to be used to lower gas prices. It is supposed to be used in case of emergencies, for reasons that, I don't know, might be strategic; thus, the name: Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It is supposed to be used for our national security, another very important strategic reason. Our friends across the aisle, the Democrats, say they want to lower gas prices when nearly every single one of their energy policies does exactly the opposite. The way to lower gas prices and keep them low--and I applaud their apparent want and desire to lower gas prices--their aim is a little off target. The way to lower gas prices, when nearly every single one of their energy policies is exactly the same, is to change that focus. Because the way to lower gas prices and to keep them low is to increase American energy production at home, right here at home. That is exactly what H.R. 21 does. If the Democrats want to support lowering gas prices, I urge them to support this bill. I am glad they want to. They should support this bill, H.R. 21, to require the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to actually increase energy production for those working Americans that they cited. For this reason, Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment and a ``yes'' vote on H.R.…”