Texas Congressman Condemns Biden's Drilling Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) today released the following statement, condemning President Biden’s ban on drilling on federal land. President Biden signed executive orders issuing a freeze on new oil and gas leasing and permitting on federal land for one year, and a second freeze on new coal leasing and permitting on federal land for three years.

“President Biden is actively destroying oil and gas jobs right in front of our eyes,” said Congressman Gonzales. “First, he halted the Keystone Pipeline and now he is stopping drilling on federal lands. I’m failing to see how he will unify the country when the administration’s top priority is killing energy jobs.” 

President Biden’s misguided executive order demands that the Department of the Interior “pause” new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters. The executive order goes a step further and orders the Department of Interior to also review current leasing and permitting practices “related to fossil fuel development,” on federal lands. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), the ban is set to cost 1 million American jobs and $9 billion in U.S. government revenue. In Texas alone, 120,000 jobs and $65 million in state revenue is at risk.