Energy Workforce & Technology Council has named Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX-08) as “Champions of American Energy” this week during the Washington, DC Fly-In. Both were chosen for their relentless and uncompromising commitment to the oilfield services sector and the domestic energy industry.
“Sen. Inhofe is a champion for the domestic energy industry, and a staunch supporter of the men and women in oilfield services. His work in the Senate to provide regulatory certainty led to American energy independence and lifted our domestic energy production to becoming gross energy exporters. It is an honor to recognize him for his many accomplishments supporting the industry and our workforce.”
Leslie Beyer, CEO, Energy Workforce & Technology Council
Sen. Inhofe serves as ranking member on the Senate Armed Services committee and is also a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Small Business Committee.
During his time in the Senate, Sen. Inhofe has championed policies that encourage the U.S. to meet its energy needs domestically and has worked tirelessly to cut unnecessary and burdensome regulations imposed on the oil and gas industry. In 1999, Inhofe introduced a bill to give states the freedom to make their own decisions about oil and natural gas regulatory structures, including those concerning hydraulic fracturing. The bill was incorporated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and provided the regulatory certainty necessary for the shale boom to establish the United States as the global leader in oil and gas production.
“I am incredibly honored to receive the Champion of American Energy award from the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. For years, the war on fossil fuels has raged on. We saw great progress toward energy independence under the Trump Administration, but President Biden’s consistently anti-domestic energy agenda has hamstrung the American economy, all while giving the world’s biggest polluters like China a free pass.
Despite having an Administration that is actively undermining our domestic energy development, I have fought back against their indefensible policies like rejoining America into the radical, job-killing Paris Climate Agreement and their proposed new, unprecedented taxes on the oil and gas sector. I am also fighting for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and reducing the red tape preventing production here at home. I am proud to have organizations like the Energy Workforce & Technology Council by my side as we work towards unleashing America’s energy independence. Let’s keep up the fight.”
Sen. James Inhofe
Rep. Brady is the Republican leader of the House Ways and Means committee, one of the most influential committees in Congress with control over taxes, international trade, health care, Medicare, Social Security and welfare. He served as Chairman of the committee for six years prior to becoming the Republican leader. As Chairman, Brady successfully negotiated an end to the 40-year ban on selling U.S. crude oil overseas, leading to American energy independence.
“It is an honor to name Congressman Brady with our Champion of American Energy award. Congressman Brady has been a long-time stalwart of free markets, low taxation, energy independence and the American worker. He was a leader in the House to end the oil export ban and his work in Congress has led to growth in the energy services industry and helped boost domestic energy production. We will definitely miss him when he retires at the end of this Congress.”
Leslie Beyer, Energy Workforce & Technology Council
Congressman Brady has also served as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation and as a member of the Joint Economic Committee of the House and Senate. He has chaired both the Health Care and Trade Subcommittees of Ways and Means.
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award from my friends at the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Energy Workforce has been a vital partner in the fight for American energy dominance, which has kept prices low for everyday Americans, provided countless economic benefits, and ultimately strengthened our nation’s security on the world stage. I look forward to our continued partnership as we advocate for a cleaner, more sustainable and more affordable energy future that puts Americans first.”
Rep. Kevin Brady
The annual Washington, DC Fly-In offers Member Companies a chance to meet members of Congress and advocate for the energy technology and services sector.
Corry Schiermeyer, Senior Director Communications, writes about governmental policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
