Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) recently joined fellow members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to pass H.R. 1616, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019. Congressman Gonzalez is an original cosponsor.
H.R. 1616 seeks to assist the U.S. and its allies reach global energy security goals while simultaneously encouraging the diversification of energy sources and supply routes in Central and Eastern Europe.
“The United States has the resources, political will, and expertise to help our allies reduce their dependency on Russian energy,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “This legislation will create opportunities for our producers and exporters here at home and give Central and Eastern European nations the tools and support they need to further develop and diversify their energy sectors. I thank my colleagues in the House and the Senate for championing this effort to support the American energy sector, empower our allies, and end this ransom from the Russian government that has gone on for far too long.”
H.R. 1616 was originally introduced by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) and Bill Keating (MA-09), Ranking Member and Chairman, respectively, of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) is also an original co-sponsor. The full text can be viewed here. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced Senate companion legislation.
In the 116th Congress, Congressman Gonzalez was appointed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and currently sits on the Subcommittees on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment and the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade. The congressman is also a member of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the Oil and Gas Caucus.
 recently joined fellow members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to pass H.R. 1616, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019.){kind=link}