U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has expressed approval of President Trump's reported intention to lift the Biden-Harris administration's freeze on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. In a statement, Cassidy remarked, "The American people overwhelmingly voted against the status quo, including the Biden-Harris administration’s war on American energy." He added that Trump plans to prioritize American workers over environmental interests from his first day in office.
Cassidy has been vocal in opposing the current administration's decision to halt pending LNG export permit applications. Following this announcement, he led 25 Republican colleagues in condemning the decision, emphasizing its impact on European allies who depend heavily on U.S. LNG after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He co-authored legislation with Senator John Barrasso aiming to reverse President Biden's suspension of new LNG export approvals and mandate Department of Energy (DOE) approval for exports to countries that import Russian or Iranian natural gas. Additionally, Cassidy introduced another bill proposing that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should be solely responsible for approving LNG exports, removing DOE from the process.
In February, Cassidy co-wrote an op-ed with Senator John Cornyn highlighting potential economic and security risks posed by the Biden-Harris policy. Earlier this year, he questioned DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk about rumors related to the freeze and stressed the importance of U.S. LNG exports for various sectors.
Cassidy also delivered a Senate floor speech criticizing what he called a "hypocritical and backward" policy by the Biden-Harris administration regarding LNG export permits.
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