Speaker of the House John Boehner (R., Ohio) gave a statement Thursday urging President Obama to order an expedited approval by the Secretary of Energy of American natural gas exports, in wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"Russia has an energy stranglehold on much of Europe, and it has been using it to its own advantage," Boehner said. "There is a growing consensus that ending this de facto export ban would not only help keep Putin in check but help our own economy as well and help our allies in Europe. I think it’s time to act. I hope the president does."
Full statement:
JOHN BOEHNER: I’d like to touch on the situation in the Ukraine. You’ve heard me call President Putin a thug. That’s because he is. He’s counting on the United States to sit back and watch him do and take whatever he wants. I support the limited sanctions outlined by the president today to freeze some assets and block U.S. visas. This is a welcome first step, but we remain committed to working with the administration to give President Obama as many tools as needed to put President Putin in check and prevent Russia from infringing on the sovereignty of any of its neighbors.
I would note that the president justified his actions today by calling this a national emergency. Frankly, I agree. But if it’s truly a national emergency, then the president should order the Secretary of Energy to expedite approval of American natural gas exports. Russia has an energy stranglehold on much of Europe, and it has been using it to its own advantage. There is a growing consensus that ending this de facto export ban would not only help keep Putin in check but help our own economy as well and help our allies in Europe. I think it’s time to act. I hope the president does.