Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) provided the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress:
After four years of the Biden administration failing to address record inflation, soaring energy costs, and an influx of illicit drugs and illegal immigrants over our southern border, it was refreshing to hear President Trump speak about the actions he has already taken to address these issues and make American lives better. I want to work with my colleagues in Congress to produce legislation to ensure these actions become law.
The Biden administration did not secure our border, resulting in skyrocketing illegal border crossings and a surge in deadly drugs – like fentanyl – that poured into our country. But just one month under President Trump’s leadership, southern border crossings have plummeted. With the President’s strong border protections being put in place, we are actively working to secure our borders and keep our communities safe. In Congress, we have acted to curb the deadly fentanyl crisis by advancing a bill I introduced – the HALT Fentanyl Act – to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I narcotic. I’ll continue to urge the Senate to take up this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for his signature.
The President also spoke strongly about the importance of restoring U.S. energy dominance; I could not agree more. To lower energy costs and bolster our national security, we must unleash America’s diverse energy portfolio. As Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy, my goal is to work with the President, his administration, and my colleagues in Congress to slash energy crushing regulations, increase domestic energy production, and enact meaningful permitting reforms. I’m of the opinion that we must advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy to meet the energy needs and lower costs for the American people, and I look forward to advancing commonsense legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee to help enact the President’s energy agenda.
