ENERGY DIPLOMACY ACT OF 2018

On 2018-07-25, Representative Michael T. McCaul (R-TX-10) delivered a floor speech titled "ENERGY DIPLOMACY ACT OF 2018" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered climate policy, the environment. It referenced legislation: HR5535.

ENERGY DIPLOMACY ACT OF 2018

Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)] [House] [Pages H7197-H7199] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ENERGY DIPLOMACY ACT OF 2018 Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5535) to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 regarding energy diplomacy and security within the Department of State, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5535 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Energy Diplomacy Act of 2018''. SEC. 2. ENERGY DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE. (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 1 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph: ``(3) Energy resources.-- ``(A) Authorization for assistant secretary.--Subject to the numerical limitation specified in paragraph (1), there is authorized to be established in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. ``(B) Personnel.--The Secretary of State shall ensure that there are sufficient personnel dedicated to energy matters within the Department of State who shall be responsible for-- ``(i) formulating and implementing international policies, in coordination with Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, aimed at protecting and advancing United States energy security interests by effectively managing United States bilateral and multilateral relations in the fields of petroleum, natural gas, biofuels, renewable energy, nuclear, and other energy resources; ``(ii) ensuring that analyses of the national security implications of global energy and environmental developments are reflected in the decision making process within the Department of State; ``(iii) incorporating energy security priorities into the activities of the Department of State; ``(iv) coordinating energy activities within the Department of State and with relevant Federal agencies; ``(v) working internationally to-- ``(I) support the development of energy resources and the distribution of such resources for the benefit of the United States and United States allies and trading partners for their energy security and economic development needs; ``(II) promote availability of diversified energy supplies and a well-functioning global market for energy resources, technologies, and expertise for the benefit of the United States and United States allies and trading partners; ``(III) resolve international disputes regarding the exploration, development, production, or distribution of energy resources; ``(IV) support the economic and commercial interests of United States persons operating in the energy markets of foreign countries; and ``(V) support and coordinate international efforts to alleviate energy poverty; ``(vi) leading the United States commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; ``(vii) coordinating within the Department of State and with relevant Federal departments and agencies on developing and implementing international energy-related sanctions; and ``(viii) coordinating energy security and other relevant functions within the Department of State currently undertaken by-- ``(I) the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs of the Department of State; ``(II) the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs of the Department of State; and ``(III) other offices within the Department of State.''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 931 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17371) is amended-- (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and (2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California. General Leave Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on this measure. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California? [[Page H7198]] There was no objection. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as America's energy production has increased, and as Chairman Mike McCaul, the author of the measure, can tell you, our Nation's influence in global energy policy has grown. The U.S. is now the world's top producer of petroleum. It is also the top producer of natural gas for the fifth straight year. I will add to that: The United States has become more energy efficient. Our abundant supply of energy resources is not only good for our economy, it is also good for our national security. It offers American allies a critical alternative to countries like Russia, which use their energy resources to bully their neighbors, in the case of Vladimir Putin, and, in the case of the global oil cartel OPEC, enrich its member states at the expense of U.S. consumers. In this moment of heightened American energy leadership, it is critical that the State Department have the leadership and direction needed to fulfill its statutory responsibilities governing international energy diplomacy. This bill, the Energy Diplomacy Act, will elevate America's energy security and diplomacy priorities. It authorizes an Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources at the State Department. This Assistant Secretary will replace the Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, demonstrating the importance of energy issues to our foreign policy and our national interests. The Assistant Secretary will be responsible for developing and implementing policies to advance U.S. energy interests abroad by managing our relations in petroleum, in natural gas, in biofuels, in renewable energy, and in nuclear and other energy resources. This bill also requires the State Department to use diplomacy to support the development of U.S. energy resources to bolster our energy security, grow our economy, and support our allies. Mr. Speaker, for years, the world's leading petroleum producers have been rigging the world market by cutting production to drive up gasoline prices, and this hurts families in places like our home States. It is in our interests to promote the availability of diversified energy supplies in a functioning global market for energy resources, technologies, and expertise. That is exactly what this bill requires. Energy policy expertise must be more deeply integrated in our foreign policy. As a major energy producing nation, it is time we elevate this important issue within our diplomatic ranks, which is what this bill will do. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul for his work on this important measure with us today. Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5535. I would like to thank Congressman McCaul, Chairman Royce, and Ranking Member Engel for their bipartisan work on this timely issue. As it has for decades, energy will continue to play a key role in shaping United States foreign policy. But the international landscape is changing, and so are the players. Global energy demand is set to rise 30 percent by the year 2030. This reflects an expanding global economy, rapid industrialization, population growth, urbanization, and improved energy access among developing countries. For the United States to maintain a leading role on the global stage, the State Department must be positioned to protect and promote favorable energy policies abroad. The Energy Diplomacy Act of 2018 helps this effort by creating an Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and requiring the State Department to employ sufficient personnel dedicated to international energy matters. By passing this legislation, we can prepare the State Department to engage in robust energy diplomacy and encourage strong international partnerships that promote our own political, economic, environmental, and national security concerns. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), who is the chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The gentleman is the author of this measure. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, the Energy Diplomacy Act. Across the globe, our friends and allies want a stable and reliable supply of American energy. America, in turn, must actively engage our friends and allies to provide alternatives to energy from rogue regimes. Look what is happening in Europe. For over a decade, Russia has used their natural gas pipelines flowing into Eastern and Central Europe as a point of leverage over these countries. Ukraine has been most affected, with Russia turning off their natural gas supply in the winter of 2008 and during the annexation of Crimea in 2014. By twisting a knob and turning off Ukrainian heat, they were able to exert an outsized amount of influence on Ukraine. Now, Russia's proposed Nord Stream II pipeline with Germany further threatens to expand Russia's energy influence throughout Eastern and Central Europe. Make no mistake: Russia is a destabilizing regime that constantly exploits the vulnerabilities posed by Europe's reliance on th

Referenced legislation: HR5535, HR5535