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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), John Barrasso (R-WY), and nine Senate colleagues introduced the Strategic Production Response (SPR) Act, to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and prioritize American energy production. The bill prohibits the Biden administration from depleting the SPR without a plan to replenish it with American oil. “The Biden administration has a comprehensive and coordinated effort to go after fossil fuels from the wellhead to the gas pump,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This bill reprioritizes our energy security despite Biden’s war on American energy.” “America is stronger and safer when we are energy independent,” said Senator Barrasso. “The Biden administration agenda is to choke off energy development on federal land. Our legislation will prevent President Biden from raiding the SPR for political purposes without boosting American oil production. It’s time to work together to lower prices for Wyoming families, unleash American energy, and strengthen our national security.” The SPR Act would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from tapping the SPR for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until the Secretary of the Interior issues a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal lands and waters. Cassidy and Barrasso were joined by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Lankford (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). Background Last year, Cassidy released a landmark energy & climate policy outline in response to the Biden administration’s assault on domestic energy. The outline details how the U.S. can successfully reset U.S. energy policy, including Cassidy’s plan for an Energy Operation Warp Speed to cut permitting red tape and unleash U.S. energy. ### |