[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H3917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING USE OF AMERICAN ENERGY SOURCES AT MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose entering 
into contracts for energy or fuel with the Russian Federation for the 
purpose of heating our military installations.
  I have longstanding concerns regarding the prospect of American 
military installations in Europe being exposed to unnecessary 
vulnerabilities as a result of becoming dependent upon foreign energy 
resources. Russian natural gas already makes up a majority of the fuel 
mix used at some military posts, and we cannot allow Russian coal or 
natural gas to take control of the difference.
  This is a national security issue. By purchasing energy from areas 
that are impacted by volatile international or regional politics, we 
are putting our troops and their dependents at risk.
  The United States has become the North American energy giant. With 
congressional action to lift a 40-year moratorium on crude oil exports, 
we are seeing new markets develop. We must ensure our families in 
Europe are provided a choice. Similarly, we must utilize American-
sourced energy to strategically support our military installations 
overseas.
  This is about countering Russian aggressions--saying ``no'' to 
Russian energy and saying ``yes'' to American jobs and security.

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