Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) releasing the following statement today in response to President Obama’s decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“The cost of gasoline is devastating American family budgets, destroying jobs, and holding back our economy; gas prices in Illinois are among the highest in the nation,” said Hultgren. “It’s clear that America needs a coherent energy policy that relies on American-made energy and takes advantage of our vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and other sources.

“But instead of developing such a policy, which would create jobs for hard-working Americans, President Obama has put political considerations ahead of the national interest and chosen to tap our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Much like his failed stimulus plan, tapping the SPR is not only politically expedient, it is also short-sighted and costly; taxpayers will have to pay to replenish the 30 million barrels released.

“While I disagree with his decision, I do applaud President Obama’s belated admission that increasing supplies will reduce costs. I hope he will reconsider his decision on the SPR, and instead embrace the pro-growth, pro-jobs domestic energy legislation that the House of Representatives has passed. I am proud to support the four bills we have passed. These would not only reduce our reliance on unstable and unfriendly regions of the world; they would also create good-paying jobs here at home, at a time when millions of Americans are looking for work.”

The domestic energy bills passed by the House of Representatives are H.R. 1229, H.R. 1230, H.R. 1231 and H.R. 2021.