Though we’re now in a new year, we continue to face the same global challenges we did in 2022. As Russia continues its war in Ukraine, North Korea steps up its provocations of the West, and the Iranian regime tightens its grip in the face of ongoing protests, the United States must confront multiple adversaries both economically and militarily. And we are. Bipartisan support for the Ukrainian people’s resistance has been just one inspiring piece of evidence that Americans can still come together to stand up to our adversaries around the globe. 

But tomorrow, Congress could miss a major opportunity. 

As part of our response to Putin’s invasion of Russia and the ensuing rise in energy costs, President Biden activated our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This was an important part of our nation’s answer to Russia’s aggression and our own economic challenges. However, I was shocked to hear that companies connected to the Chinese government purchased some of this oil. 

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For the past seven months, I have worked with fellow veteran Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, to advance the Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act. This bipartisan legislation would bar any and all of our foreign adversaries from accessing our national reserves, including not only China but also North Korea, Russia, Iran, and any other country under sanction by the United States. I’m proud that our work garnered 37 co-sponsors in the 117th Congress, including 13 Republicans. Our bill also earned the endorsement of the For Country Caucus, a cross-party group of military veterans serving in the House. Furthermore, similar legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Kennedy (R-La.), indicating that this approach has a better shot of passing both chambers.

Read the full Op-Ed here.