Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) visited Kaufman County Commissioners Court on Wednesday to discuss the nation’s energy policy and Washington’s role in reducing the cost of fuel for East Texas families and businesses.

“Our energy problems were not created overnight, and they will not be solved overnight,” said Hensarling. “That is why it is critical that we start taking steps NOW to begin to address this problem. To solve our energy problems, it will take a balanced approach of dealing with both the supply of energy as well as the demand for energy. Washington has tried everything but increasing production. If we want prices to come down, we have to increase the supply of American energy. I want to see more signs that read, ‘Made in the U.S.A.’”

Congressman Hensarling is currently engaged in efforts to expand American energy production to reduce our dependence on foreign oil imports. Since coming to Congress, Hensarling has consistently supported legislation that would remove roadblocks put in place by the federal government to expanding production of American sources of energy.

Hensarling supports expanding American energy exploration and production in Arctic Alaska and on the Outer Continental Shelf, expanding domestic refining capacity, reducing the number of boutique fuels, and cutting wasteful pork barrel spending to give Americans a gas tax holiday.

“In the long run, alternative and renewable energy sources are definitely part of the solution,” said Hensarling. “Unfortunately, while there are many promising technologies out there, none are yet commercially-viable or simply cannot produce enough energy to totally displace our reliance on fossil fuels.”

“When I first started driving in the 1970s, the Arab oil embargo was stranding American drivers on the side of the road and creating lines at our nation’s service stations. We can bring back the bell bottoms, disco balls, or eight track tapes, but I will fight to ensure Washington does not bring back the same ineffective energy policies of price controls and higher taxes.”