Sessions Calls for Expansion of American Refining Capacity on Closed Military Bases in the United States
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today joined House Republicans in calling for a vote on American-made energy legislation that would expand refining capacity in the U.S. Sessions joined over 140 Members in signing a discharge petition to call up H.R. 2279, a bill to expedite the construction of new refining capacity on closed military installations in the United States.
“A new oil refinery has not been built on United States soil in over 30 years, and underdeveloped American energy resources have contributed to our current energy crisis,” Sessions stated. “With gas averaging over $4 a gallon and Americans experiencing more pain at the pump than ever, Congress must eliminate bureaucratic barriers to responsible drilling and refining of American energy resources.”
Introduced by Congressman Joe Pitts (R-PA), H.R. 2279 would reduce the price of gasoline by opening up no fewer than three closed military installations for the purpose of building new American oil refineries. Appropriate sites for oil refinery would be determined by a variety of factors, including the impact of the site’s operations on a military base. H.R. 2279 also designates the Department of Energy as the lead agency for Federal refinery authorizations and related environmental reviews. These provisions passed in the House in 2005 as an amendment to a larger energy-related bill but were never considered in the Senate.
This common-sense energy solution legislation is part of a comprehensive Republican plan to help bring down the high cost of gasoline and facilitate lasting energy independence. By utilizing discharge petitions—a procedural motion to force the Democrat leadership to bring legislation to the House floor—Sessions and other House Republicans are calling for votes on key energy legislation each legislative week this summer. Currently, the discharge petition to call up H.R. 2279 has 142 signatures; 218 are required to force House consideration of the bill. Unfortunately for American families and businesses, the Democrat leadership has thus far blocked each American-made energy bill presented.
“I continue to hear from my constituents that Congress’ top priority should be increasing American-made energy. At this crucial time of pressing energy challenges, Congress must act now to open up domestic sources of oil and provide legislative solutions that will lower the price of gasoline,” Sessions concluded.