Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has reintroduced legislation to expedite the approval process for the export of natural gas to America’s allies abroad. Known as the Expediting Natural Gas Exports to Allies Act, the bill would shorten the approval processes to supply “strategic partners like Ukraine and Taiwan from the Kremlin and Chinese Communist Party.”
Currently, the export project provisions of the Natural Gas Act can take years to secure approval.
Sen. Rubio believes that this bill would not only support American allies abroad but also champion the U.S. economy and create jobs while promoting a cleaner alternative in natural gas.
“Too many of our allies allowed themselves to become dangerously dependent on Russian natural gas, when American natural gas is the obviously safe and reliable alternative. Expediting the approval of U.S. natural gas exports to allies and strategic partners is a common sense step to reduce our allies’ economic reliance on foreign adversaries while creating more jobs for Americans at home,” stated Sen. Rubio.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) also joined the effort, stating that this bill is a win-win situation all the way around.
“Louisiana produces the cleanest natural gas in the world. Unleashing American energy supports our allies, creates jobs for Louisiana families, strengthens our economy, and lowers global emissions,” mentioned the Louisiana senator.
According to the Rubio press release, countries treated as allies include North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand.
Those who do not fall under the “ally” tier are known as “strategic partners.” These countries include Ukraine, Cyprus, Finland, Moldova, Sweden, and Taiwan.
In March of this year, Rubio went on record saying that the United States needs to “be prepared for” a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
"The threat of a reckless blockade or invasion of Taiwan from the CCP is real and one that both the U.S. and our international allies must be prepared for. At a time when our nation’s reliance on China’s genocidal regime leaves us hostage to Beijing's leverage, we must develop a strategy to respond to the CCP’s hostile acts," Sen. Rubio added.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States does not support Taiwan independence from China and that they support the “status quo.”
