The Biden administration was slammed after White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre couldn’t explain why the government sent an emergency supply of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to foreign countries as Americans across the United States suffer from the increasing gas prices.
During a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon at the White House, several reporters grilled the secretary about Biden’s new controversy.
When asked about the emergency supply of oil that the United States sent to its foreign countries, Jean-Pierre responded and claimed that she wasn’t aware of the situation.
Apparently, Reuters exposed the administration for sending more than 5 million barrels of oil from the emergency oil reserves to Europe and Asia, including China last month.
“There’s a Reuters report out this morning that says that more than 5 million barrels of oil that were released from the emergency oil reserves were exported to Europe and Asia last month, and some of it, reportedly, was actually heading to China.” A reporter claimed.
“Is the administration aware of those reports? And does the president mind that some of this oil that was meant to ease paying for consumers is headed overseas?” the reporter asked.
After that, Jean-Pierre responded, claiming that doesn’t know that millions of barrels of oil were released to foreign countries from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Just in March, President Biden declared the country’s release of one million barrels of oil per day from the SPR. He also added that his action would help the American and SPR.
Following Biden’s decision, the Republicans slammed the President on Thursday.
“The American people deserve answers as to why our emergency energy reserves are being sent to foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, compromising our energy security and national security,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers said.
“President Biden needs to remember that our strategic energy reserves are for emergencies, not to cover-up bad policies. America needs to flip the switch and increase our capacity to produce and refine oil here at home. Now is not the time to use our strategic stockpile.” Rodgers added.
