President Biden has announced a ban on the import of all Russian oil and gas energy products, but instead of looking to America’s largest trading partner, Canada, to increase oil exports, the White House is reportedly turning to regimes like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.  

The U.S. bought  640,000 barrels per day on average of oil and petroleum products from Russia between July and December, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  

The Keystone XL pipeline, which Biden canceled within hours of taking office, would have had capacity to ship 830,000 barrels per day from Western Canada to the U.S. refineries, starting in 2023. 

Maintaining a secure and reliable supply of energy products has never been more important.  

US leaders continue to challenge the year-old decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project, calling for its reinstatement. 

Here’s what they have to say:  

Senator Roger Wicker (MS) tweeted: 

The President should revive the Keystone XL pipeline project, open up oil and gas leases, reduce red tape for exploration, and focus on stabilizing supply and lowering prices for all Americans. 

Senator Mike Braun (IN) said: 

If we had the Keystone XL pipeline actually working it would offset all the barrels we are importing from Russia. 

And tweeted:  

America is once again dependent on foreign oil to meet our everyday needs, and Russia is getting rich from it. We must take measures like reopening the Keystone Pipeline and restore America’s energy independence. @varneyco @foxbusiness  

Senator Jim Inhofe (OK) said: 

President Biden’s terrible record on energy and climate has not been forgotten and is on full display across America…Not to mention the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline and its associated 10,000 jobs. This pipeline would have strengthened our energy independence as it was expected to carry over 800,000 barrels of oil per day, which would have increased domestic supply and reduced the supply and demand disruption we are witnessing today that have increased oil prices above $100. 

Senator Jim Risch (ID) tweeted: 

President Biden’s cancelation of the Keystone Pipeline killed thousands of jobs & left us dependent on foreign oil. Now as #Putin wages a deadly war on #Ukraine, the U.S. is still importing 650,000 barrels of Russian oil every single day.

America needs energy independence now. 

Senator Tim Scott (SC) tweeted: 

Gas prices don’t just “seem alarming” — Americans are paying 40% more at the pump, that’s terrifying. Americans need energy independence provided by the Keystone XL Pipeline, not pipe dreams that keep us dependent on foreign oil. 

Senator Jon Tester (MT) said in a statement: 

“To help combat these price increases, our nation needs to make bold moves to secure our affordable domestic fuel supply by incentivizing responsible domestic oil and gas production and emphasizing trade with allies like Canada… I still support the Keystone XL Pipeline project and believe the State Department’s rejection of a permit request was short-sighted. Development of projects built to high safety and environmental standards like the Keystone XL Pipeline would secure reliable petroleum sources from our allies. We should review projects like that one and seek to keep the oil here in America.” 

Senate Republican Whip John Thune (SD) tweeted:  

Ways to lower energy prices:
– Fast-track responsible oil/gas development
– Authorize pipelines, like Keystone XL and for LNG
– Leverage American biofuels
– Slash gov’t red tape 

We need pipelines, not pipe dreams.
Affordable electric vehicles are years away from being widely available enough to reduce dependence on liquid fuel.
President Biden, bring back American energy dominance. 

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) tweeted: 

Make America energy independent again. 

President Biden must stop his war on domestic producers, greenlight the Keystone Pipeline, fast-track oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and approve permits to export American natural gas to our allies. https://www.republicanleader.gov/a-grim-picture-of-the-future 

And:  

America has the power to be energy independent, but President Biden would rather shut down American pipelines than hurt Vladimir Putin’s bottom line. 

Rep. Mark Green (TN) tweeted:  

The facts:
The Keystone XL pipeline had an 800,000 barrel/day capacity.
Yet we’re importing 500,000+ barrels/day from Russia.
Biden’s sanctions miss the mark on Russia’s energy sector—and this is why. ⬆️ 

Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT) tweeted: 

The U.S. imports 500K barrels of oil a day from Russia when the Keystone XL pipeline could be producing over 800K barrels of oil a day.
Biden’s “America Last” directive leaves Americans subject to higher gas prices due to warfare thousands of miles away. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/biden-says-nothing-is-off-the-table-as-pressure-for-russian-oil-ban-mounts 

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA) tweeted:  

Just sent this letter to Biden demanding he end his anti-American energy agenda.
He needs to:
1. Remove red tape for energy infrastructure
2. End the drilling moratorium on federal land
3. Approve pipelines & LNG export permits
4. End woke climate activism by federal agencies 

Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI) tweeted: 

Joe Biden can come to Superior to tout American jobs all he wants, but on day one, he killed thousands of Wisconsin jobs by canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline.
We must get back to the basics of infrastructure!
Asphalt and concrete. Not green giveaways and red tape. 

The unaltered reproduction of this content is free of charge with attribution to Canadian Energy Centre Ltd.