Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) pushed back on President Joe Biden’s assertion that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was responsible for high gas prices in the United States, saying that the U.S. has the capability to fix the problem and all the Biden administration has to do is give the greenlight.
Manchin made the remarks during an interview on Wednesday night with Fox News anchor Bret Baier when he was asked by Baier who was to blame for gas prices being so high. Baier noted that Biden has blamed OPEC for the high prices.
“Well, I say that we can basically do more for ourself. We have been energy independent for the first time in 67 years,” Manchin said. “Why can’t we do more? Why can’t we produce more? We have got plenty of natural gas. My state, beautiful state of West Virginia, has an ocean of natural gas under it. If they just let us build a pipeline, we could get the product to market.”
“And why don’t we do more drilling, and why don’t we do more basically production in the United States?” Manchin continued. “I’m not depending on OPEC. I’m not depending on other countries for my energy anymore. We know how to do it. We have the technology. We should be resilient, relying on ourselves.”
When asked if Biden was wrong in his views, Manchin responded, “I have a difference of opinion.”
WATCH:
TRANSCRIPT:
BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: All right, so, on the gas prices, gas prices at the pump, who’s to blame?
President Biden says OPEC is to blame. Others say climate policies have changed the dynamic. What do you say?
SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): Well, I say that we can basically do more for ourself. We have been energy independent for the first time in 67 years.
Why can’t we do more? Why can’t we produce more? We have got plenty of natural gas. My state, beautiful state of West Virginia, has an ocean of natural gas under it. If they just let us build a pipeline, we could get the product to market.
And why don’t we do more drilling, and why don’t we do more basically production in the United States? I’m not depending on OPEC. I’m not depending on other countries for my energy anymore. We know how to do it. We have the technology. We should be resilient, relying on ourselves.
BAIER: So, is the president wrong in that?
MANCHIN: I have a difference of opinion.
(LAUGHTER)
BAIER: So, yes.
(LAUGHTER)
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