Democrat House Majority Leader Claims ‘We’re At War’ So Republicans Shouldn’t Blame Biden For Energy Crisis

While discussing American energy production on Friday, Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) blasted Republican criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of the gasoline crisis during what he said was a “time of war.” Hoyer claimed that Americans needed to focus on the “enemy” — Russia.

As pointed out by many pundits and Republicans, those were peculiar comments to make considering that the U.S. is not officially at war with Russia. Even if we were, disagreeing with the president would still be allowed.

“The Biden administration approved more drilling permits in 2021 than the Trump administration approved in the first three years they were in office,” Hoyer said on Friday from the House floor in response to Republican statements about Biden’s energy policies. He later added, “I don’t know how the [Republican leader] rationalizes his comments about Biden constricting petroleum production…”

“It is unfortunate that in a time of war, that we spend all the time blaming our own president,” he continued. “It is unfortunate that when the Europeans put themselves — over the objections of numerous administrations — in a place where they had a dependence on Russia, Russia has no leverage over us.”

“I wish we’d get off this and really focus on the enemy,” Hoyer remarked. 

“I know there’s a lot of politics here, but we’re at war,” he remarked again. “We need to produce energy.” 

In response, Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) tweeted ponderingly, “‘In a time of war’ – did we vote on a declaration of war? Asking for a friend.” 

“In a time of war.” – did we vote on a declaration of war? Asking for a friend. https://t.co/ACgMx3fKnp

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) May 13, 2022

The Daily Wire’s Michael Knowles also quipped, “In case you missed it, an old coot congressman decided unilaterally to declare war on a nuclear former superpower.” 

In case you missed it, an old coot congressman decided unilaterally to declare war on a nuclear former superpower. https://t.co/jfLvdztuDn

— Michael Knowles 🫃🏻 (@michaeljknowles) May 13, 2022

Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald added, “Apparently — according to Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer — we are ‘in a time of war,’ which makes criticism of our President ‘unfortunate.’ I didn’t realize the US was at war (OK, I did), but even so, that’s not actually a reason to refrain from criticizing Joe Biden.”

Apparently — according to Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer — we are “in a time of war,” which makes criticism of our President “unfortunate.”

I didn’t realize the US was at war (OK, I did), but even so, that’s not actually a reason to refrain from criticizing Joe Biden: https://t.co/anUM5z7g6B

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 13, 2022

While the U.S. has not technically entered the war on Ukraine’s behalf, the federal government has supplied billions of dollars to Ukraine in the form of aid since Russia invaded in February.

Currently, the Senate is negotiating a $40 billion aid package that will be officially voted upon next week. As The Daily Wire reported, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) temporarily blocked that bill Thursday while requesting that an amendment be added to it that would allow an Inspector General to oversee how that money would be spent.

The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.