This past week, North Dakota Republican Congressman Kelly Armstrong and Texas Republican Congressman August Pfluger took the step to invite President Biden to the Bakken Formation and the Permian Basin so he can see for himself the work being done in oil fields in these two states. They want him to see how this country can be energy independent again.

Whether the president and his energy staff will take up the offer from the congressmen is not known yet.

Armstrong and Pfluger pointed out in their letter that since the 1970s energy crisis, “the American people have recognized the importance of developing our domestic energy resources to reduce our reliance on foreign imports and ensure our energy security.”

However, they said, “since day one of your presidency, numerous regulatory policy changes have significantly chilled domestic investment in the oil and gas industry, the lifeblood of our economy and an essential to our national security. As these ill-advised policies have dramatically increased the price of gasoline and other petroleum-based products, your administration has turned toward foreign actors who do not share American values or interests.”

Armstrong and Pfluger also wrote, “Combined, our states produce over half of the nation’s crude oil and the hardworking men and women of our states are ready and willing to increase domestic production again, but they need the appropriate regulatory environment and support of your administration.”

In addition, they said, “Rather than plead with Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to increase production, we invite you to visit the Bakken Formation and the Permian basin to see firsthand the essential work that happens every day in domestic oil fields. America’s oil and gas producers gave us energy independence before; it’s time to get out of the way and let them do it again.”

We challenge President Biden and his energy staff to make a trip to North Dakota and Texas, where they can meet firsthand with the hardworking men and women in the oil fields and bring this country back to being energy independent.