BORDER SHOWDOWN: Biden Stops Approval of LNG Exports in Retaliation of Texas’ Defiance

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said Joe Biden’s recent decision to stop approval of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports looks “more like retaliation than a sound policy decision.”

This from breitbart.com.

The commissioner added:

Biden’s announcement came one day after Texas took a bold stand in defending our border against foreign invaders.

Breitbart News reported:

Biden announced on January 26 that he was placing a ‘temporary pause on pending decisions of Liquified Natural Gas exports.’

January 26 was also the DHS deadline sent in a letter to the State of Texas demanding access to Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas.

The State has not budged on opening up the park seized earlier this month.

Commissioner Buckingham told Breitbart Texas:

Texas is the largest exporter of natural gas in the nation and the third in the world.

This reckless federal decision made merely a day after Texas took a bold stand in defending our border against foreign invaders appears more like retaliation than a sound policy decision.

Buckingham serves as commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, overseeing over 13 million acres of mineral-rich land. Severance taxes from production rights are used by the State of Texas to fund education.

The commissioner stated:

I will always defend Texas’ right to energy independence and stand up for the hardworking families and countless Texas schoolchildren this move will harm.

Biden claimed his action was in line with his policies to “tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad.”

Further:

While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my Administration will not be complacent. We will not cede to special interests.

Breitbart Texas reported:

Late last year, Commissioner Buckingham certified an island in the Rio Grande as belonging to the State of Texas. This cleared the way for the Texas Military Department and the Department of Public Safety to clear Fronton Island and remove a critical asset from drug and human smuggling cartel operations.

The commissioner said at the time:

Fronton Island, known as the single most dangerous spot on the southern border, is cleared to patrol.

Texas DPS spokesman Lieutenant Chris Olivarez told Breitbart Texas:

For decades, Fronton Island has been utilized by the Mexican Drug Cartels as a refuge when fleeing from rival cartels and the Mexican Military.

Still, it has primarily been used to facilitate transnational criminal activity involving human and drug smuggling.

Olivarez stated:

With the authorization through Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, the State of Texas has taken over the island by clearing and fortifying it, allowing DPS and the National Guard to gain operational control in preventing cross-border crime.

In January, the Texas Military Department, under Operation Lone Star orders from Governor Greg Abbott, seized the City of Eagle Pass-owned Shelby Park and ejected Border Patrol agents.

Breitbart Texas reported:

During the month of December, Del Rio Sector agents apprehended a record-shattering 71,000 [illegal aliens]. The Del Rio Sector’s prior record was set in August 2022 when agents apprehended 52,735 [illegal aliens].

Breitbart Texas reported:

In the two weeks surrounding the Christmas and New Year holidays, Del Rio Sector agents apprehended nearly 35,000 [illegal aliens] (2,500 per day).

The DHS responded by sending two letters to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton demanding the State allow Border Patrol agents to access the park. Texas defied the order from The Regime’s Department of Homeland Security and doubled down on placing additional razor-wire barriers in the park.

Governor Abbott responded last year to The Regime’s “attack” on the state’s energy production capabilities following an EPA proposal to redesignate the Permian Basin.

Governor Abbott said:

The Permian Basin is the crown jewel of Texas’ mighty oil and gas industry, and the State of Texas will do whatever it takes to protect its production and the hundreds of thousands of good-paying energy jobs in our state.

While it is encouraging news that [The Regime] has backed down on this disastrous plan, Texas remains ready to fight any job-killing attacks on our critical oil and gas industry. Texas is—and always will be—a pro-energy state, and we will keep a watchful eye for any potential changes or attacks by [The Regime] that could jeopardize affordable energy prices and the livelihoods of hardworking Texans.

The Texas oil and gas industry continues to be a key factor in the state’s economy. Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, reported the industry added more than 15,000 jobs to the Texas economy in 2023.

Governor Abbott said:

2023 was an incredibly solid year for upstream oil and gas job growth, despite global economic uncertainties that have held back strong price signals, and the year finished with a continued upward push on job expansion.

These oil and gas jobs, along with the associated activity in local communities that generates tremendous growth opportunities, benefit every part of Texas and continue to be the cornerstone of the Texas economy.

Final thoughts: To their detriment, Barack and Joe-Joe are screwing with Texas. One hundred and thirty-eight years ago Texas voluntarily joined the Union of United States. A unique provision in its agreement with the United States permitted Texas to retain title to its public lands. Keep screwing with Texas, and they’ll choose to leave the union.