Biden, Jeffries Stand Tall Against Oil & Gas Lobby
Fossil fuel lobbyists suffer another LNG defeat
Once again, the stars seemed to align for the powerful Oil & Gas Lobby. One of their top beneficiaries, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), held the keys to unlocking the White House’s top legislative priority: foreign aid funding for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and Taiwan.
As Kate Aronoff reports, the Oil & Gas Lobby has been generous to Johnson, who has received more campaign cash ($470,000) from oil and gas than from any other sector.
Always on the lookout to take advantage of logjams in Washington, the Oil & Gas Lobby asked Johnson to demand a pound of fossil fuel flesh from Democrats as the price to bring a foreign aid package to the floor.
Johnson answered the call. On Easter Sunday, Johnson announced on Fox News that he would force Biden to reverse his pause on gas export permits as the price for getting GOP votes on a foreign aid package.
Johnson pursued his LNG gambit until late last night, including making a last-ditch offer “that the White House could approve just four LNG export terminals that are currently paused as a condition of GOP leadership putting a Ukraine spending bill on the House floor,” according to Politico (paywall), citing House insiders.
But Democrats didn’t budget, and Johnson’s LNG script hit the cutting room floor. Johnson not only needs Democratic votes to pass the aid bills this weekend, but he also needed Democrats’ help yesterday getting the bills through the Rules Committee to set the terms of debate and amendments. Those rules have now been set.
Here are some top Insider takeaways from this fight:
The White House laid the groundwork for this win by publicly rejecting Johnson’s attempt to box them in.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has proven to be a tough negotiator and an equally tough opponent against handouts to the fossil fuel lobby. He has kept the Democratic caucus united. Ninety-five percent of House Democrats have voted in support of Biden’s LNG pause. Jeffries hasn’t allowed the opposing views of a handful of Democrats (from oil & gas states) to create distractions.
The LNG fight is far from over in Congress. The Oil & Gas Lobby has now tried and failed to attach LNG rollbacks to appropriations bills, foreign aid bills, and defense bills. They aren’t used to losing and they will be back.
House Democrats Jared Huffman (CA) and Sean Casten (IL) were powerful critics of Johnson’s LNG ploy. This active, vocal leadership is important (and something I personally appreciate from my time working for former Senator Barbara Boxer, who was always ready to take on the Oil & Gas Lobby).
This Lion Still Roars
speaking of vocal leadership, it was inspiring to see Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s forceful statement urging Democrats to stand strong against being bullied on the foreign aid package:
“The Biden administration and my Democratic colleagues must not abandon climate and frontline communities just so Republicans can continue to line the pockets of Big Oil and Gas.”
Just days prior, Rep. Grijalva announced he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
I have always been amazed by Rep. Grijalva’s unapologetic determination to do the right thing. There is no stronger champion for environmental justice. I trust that Rep. Grijalva, his family, and his staff are benefitting from a return of some of the enormous strength and motivation that he inspires and nurtures in those around him. I look forward to seeing Rep. Grijalva back in action.