House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) released a statement calling on President Obama to approve U.S. exports of natural gas.
Boehner says allowing natural gas exports would "impose consequences on Russia for its hostile act."
"The U.S. has a responsibility to stand up for freedom and democracy around the globe, and we have a responsibility to stand with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion," Boehner said in his statement. "We will work with the Obama administration on measures to impose consequences on Russia for its hostile act. One immediate step the president can and should take is to dramatically expedite the approval of U.S. exports of natural gas. The United States has abundant supplies of natural gas – an energy source that is in demand by many of our allies – and the U.S. Department of Energy’s excruciatingly slow approval process amounts to a de facto ban on American natural gas exports that Vladimir Putin has happily exploited to finance his geopolitical goals. We should not force our allies to remain dependent on Putin for their energy needs. Ending this de facto ban and expediting approval of natural gas exports is one clear step the U.S. can take to stand by our allies and stand up to Russian aggression, while creating American jobs at the same time."
Experts have said that adding additional natural gas exports could work to blunt Russia's influence.