Manchin Catches Interior Dept Memo to “Shut Everything Down” on Drilling; Haaland Won’t Say Gas Prices Are “Too High”

On 5/19/2022, Senator Joe Manchin caught Interior Secretary Deb Haaland off guard with a memo from her own department stating that a proposed offshore leasing program “is not a decision to issue specific leases or to authorize any drilling or development.” Manchin said it showed the department’s intent was to “shut everything down.” Haaland repeatedly refused to say whether gas prices were “too high” and could not answer whether American or Venezuelan oil had lower emissions. Gas was above $4 in all 50 states for the first time in history, and NBC detailed $11 million in Hunter Biden income from foreign companies.

”Shut Everything Down”

Manchin confronted Haaland with a statement released by her own office during the hearing. “The statement says: ‘A proposed program is not a decision to issue specific leases or to authorize any drilling or development,’” Manchin read. “So they’re going to do the proposal, but it doesn’t guarantee they’re going to do any leasing at all.”

“Did you know you all put this out?” Manchin asked, visibly frustrated. “Oh my God — somebody shut it down. It shows what your intent is.”

Manchin noted this was unprecedented. “We’ve never done this. This is history. We’ve never done that before — not issue leases if you put a plan out. The plan has always been a long-term five-year plan to lease,” Manchin said.

Haaland attempted to reinterpret. “I don’t believe that it’s saying that we’re not going to do any of those things,” she said.

“Maybe I’m reading it wrong. We’ll get copies for everybody,” Manchin said, unconvinced.

Haaland Won’t Say Prices Are “Too High”

A senator asked Haaland the simplest possible question. “Very honest question. Do you believe that gas prices are too high?”

“I completely understand the crunch that so many Americans are under right now,” Haaland said. “I’m thinking back — I’ve been driving since I was about 18, so I know that we’ve had other — I remember back when there were lines out the gas stations.”

“So it sounds like you’re unwilling to say that gas prices are too high,” the senator concluded.

American vs. Venezuelan Emissions

A senator posed a straightforward comparison. “What has the lowest emissions profile — using Louisiana, American workers on the outer continental shelf with American companies and American regulations, or Venezuelan standards and Venezuelan crude?”

“Senator, I’m not an economist or an engineer or a scientist,” Haaland said.

“I’m almost out of time and I get a sense that this question is not going to be answered straightforwardly, no offense,” the senator responded.

$4 in All 50 States

Gas exceeded $4 per gallon in all 50 states for the first time in American history. An analyst predicted worse. “Is it fair to say perhaps $5, $6? I think they’re going to definitely remain above $4 and you’re going into the driving season, which creates upward pressure,” the analyst said.

Psaki acknowledged prices were “too high” — the answer Haaland would not give. “Too many Americans are heading to the pump and seeing prices that are too high,” Psaki said.

Baby Formula Crisis

A host compared the formula shortage unfavorably to Poland’s refugee response. “Where there is not a baby formula crisis is in Poland, where they took in almost 4 million people in three months and there’s enough formula there,” the host said. “So my question is, why isn’t there the same mobilization here?”

Hunter Biden: $11 Million

NBC detailed Hunter Biden’s income. “President’s son and his company brought in about $11 million between 2013 and 2018, including some years in which his father was vice president,” NBC reported. “His company received nearly $5 million in consulting contracts from a joint venture funded by a Chinese energy company.”

“A snapshot of spending shows that for about five months in late 2017 and early 2018, he spent more than $200,000 a month on luxury hotel rooms, cash withdrawals, dental work, and payments on a Porsche,” NBC reported.

Key Takeaways

Manchin caught Haaland’s own department issuing a memo that a proposed offshore plan “is not a decision to issue specific leases or authorize any drilling” — saying it showed intent to “shut everything down.”
Haaland refused to say gas prices were “too high,” instead reminiscing about gas lines when she was 18.
She could not answer whether American or Venezuelan oil production had lower emissions.
Gas exceeded $4/gallon in all 50 states simultaneously for the first time in U.S. history.
NBC reported Hunter Biden earned $11 million from foreign companies between 2013-2018 and spent over $200,000/month on luxury items.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

A proposed program is not a decision to issue specific leases or authorize any drilling. Oh my God — somebody shut it down. It shows what your intent is.
Do you believe gas prices are too high? I completely understand the crunch. I remember when there were lines at gas stations.
What has the lowest emissions — American workers or Venezuelan crude? I’m not an economist or an engineer or a scientist.
Gas was $4 or higher in all 50 states for the first time ever.
His company brought in about $11 million between 2013 and 2018. He spent more than $200,000 a month on luxury items.
Where there is not a baby formula crisis is in Poland, where they took in 4 million people in three months.

Full transcript: 1449 words transcribed via Whisper AI.