[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H4021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL

  (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  (Mr. HIGGINS of New York). Mr. Speaker, U.S. reliance on foreign oil 
threatens our national security, pollutes our environment, and 
unnecessarily burdens our families with high and fluctuating gas 
prices.
  Americans want to make the leap to electric vehicles which are 
cleaner, quicker, and quieter. But the lack of supply and changing 
infrastructure is holding people back.
  China ranks number 1 in the world, controlling 80 percent of the 
market of producing raw materials in lithium ion batteries, the United 
States ranks 15. If we don't move quickly, we will fall further behind.
  I support efforts to invoke the Defense Production Act so President 
Biden can help domestic manufacturers expand the production and supply 
of critical materials and goods.
  This is a bold and necessary move that will accelerate the 
availability of electric vehicles and put Americans back to work.

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