WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, introduced the Strategic Production Response (SPR) Act. The SPR Act would prohibit the secretary of Energy from tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for reasons other than a severe energy supply interruption until the secretary of the Interior issues a plan to increase oil and gas production on federal land.

“President Biden depleted America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to attempt to fix his self-made crisis,” said Risch. “The Strategic Production Response Act will ensure the SPR is used correctly, prevent any president from misusing the reserve, and prioritize our domestic energy supply.”

“America is stronger and safer when we are energy independent,"  said Barrasso. “The Biden administration agenda is to choke off energy development on federal land. Our legislation will prevent President Biden from raiding the SPR for political purposes without boosting American oil production. It’s time to work together to lower prices for Wyoming families, unleash American energy, and strengthen our national security.” 

Additional cosponsors of the  SPR Act include Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).

Read the text of the SPR Act here.