House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement after participating in a press conference with House Speaker John Boehner and other Members of Republican leadership to announce the American Energy Initiative – an ongoing effort to stop Washington policies that are driving up gasoline prices and expand American energy production to help lower costs and create jobs:

“One of the most effective ways Congress can create American jobs and lower gasoline prices is to expand production of our own American resources. Unfortunately, due to the Obama Administration, we are years behind where we should be. President Obama has repeatedly taken action to lock-up our American energy resources. This is costing American jobs, enabling energy prices to rise and jeopardizing our national security.

“The Natural Resources Committee is focused on how to responsibly develop our resources to meet our Nation’s energy needs and create jobs. The Committee has scheduled a series of hearings on this issue that will focus on harnessing our American resources to address rising gasoline prices, the impacts of the President’s de facto moratorium in the Gulf, and onshore energy production.

“As part of the American Energy Initiative, we’re also working on an array of specific proposals within our Committee’s jurisdiction. The initial bills will be introduced very, very soon.”

Watch the full press conference here:

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