OPINION:
I got into this work partly because I know energy policy isn’t just some debate for folks in Washington, D.C. It’s about good-paying jobs for workers in Texas and across the country. It’s about the price you pay at the pump, what it costs to heat or cool your home, and whether your lights stay on when the grid is strained. For families, energy isn’t abstract it’s part of daily life. And right now, our energy security is being threatened.
That recent meeting between Russia, China, and North Korea with our friends in India sitting at the tableshould be a five-alarm fire for all of us. A new team is forming, and they want to be the ones who call the shots on the world’s energy. China, especially, has been playing the long game. For years, they’ve worked to corner the market on the minerals and materials that go into batteries, solar panels, and other clean energy technology. They want the world hooked on their supply chains. If we’re not careful, we’ll be buying our energy future from them and paying whatever price they decide to set.
That’s why I recently sat down with India’s ambassador. We talked about how Texas, and America, can be a partner. Texas has always been an energy powerhouse. We pump oil and gas, but we’re also leading the way in wind and solar. That all-of-the-above mix is exactly what India is looking for. By teaming up, we can sell more American energy abroad, create good-paying jobs here at home, and keep India from getting hooked on China’s supply chains.
But we can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot. When we slap heavy, across-the-board tariffs on friendly nations like India, we don’t just hurt their industries we make it harder for them to buy from us. That pushes them right into China’s arms. Our trade policies need to be smart and aimed at our real rivals, not our friends. This is a tough fight, and we can’t afford to stumble over our own mistakes.
First, we’ve got to unleash our own energy workers. America produces oil and natural gas cleaner and safer than just about anyone else. Our allies want it, and we’ve got plenty to share. But too often, projects to build pipelines or export terminals get tied up for years in red tape. Every delay is a missed paycheck for American workers and an open door for countries like Russia to sell their fuel instead. Every tanker of American LNG shipped overseas is more money in a Texas worker’s pocket and less money in Putin’s war chest. That’s what energy security really looks like.
Second, we need to double down on invention and production here at home. Nobody in the world can out-innovate America. We’ve got the best scientists, engineers, and builders. Let’s put them to work on the next generation of energy: better batteries, safer nuclear, cleaner fuels, smarter grids. And here’s the key: let’s not just design it here, let’s build it here. That means factories, supply chains, and jobs on American soil. If we keep outsourcing production to China, we’ll never be truly secure. If we build it here, we own our future.
This isn’t about choosing between oil and gas or renewables and nuclear. We need it all. Texas has shown that you don’t have to pick sides we’re leading in oil and gas and in wind and solar. That “all of the above” approach is how we keep energy affordable, reliable, and homegrown.
Being the world’s energy leader puts America in the driver’s seat. It means our workers get steady paychecks, our families get lower bills, and our country is safer because we’re not relying on adversaries for what we need.
At the end of the day, this isn’t rocket science. It’s about letting American workers do what they do best: build, innovate, and win. If we unleash American workers, if we work with our friends instead of punishing them, and if we compete head-on with China, there’s no doubt in my mind that America can stay the world’s energy leader and keep our homes running affordably.
That’s not just good policy. That’s peace of mind for every family that wants a fair shot, steady work, and a secure future.
• Rep. Marc Veasey, a dedicated public servant from Texas, has built a reputation as a leader in energy policy and bipartisan solutions. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Veasey plays a pivotal role in shaping national energy strategy, focusing on American energy security, affordability, and innovation. He recently launched the American Energy Dominance Caucus, aiming to enhance the U.S. role in global energy markets while fostering job creation and economic growth. Rep. Veasey serves on several key subcommittees, including the Subcommittee on Energy, the Subcommittee on Health, and the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee.
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