‘WE MUST MEET THE MOMENT’: Watch Manchin Say We Must Ensure Energy Security for U.S. and Allies

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee met on Thursday to discuss how energy can be used as a tool or a weapon in light of Putin’s war in Ukraine. Head of the Committee Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) believes relying on countries that don’t share American values is a national security threat and not a realistic path forward.

“We’re here today to talk about energy and how it can be used as a tool or a weapon. Vladimir Putin’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine is the latest and most extreme example of his willingness to use European dependence on Russian energy exports as leverage to disrupt the peace and in the process violate International humanitarian law,” Manchin says in the clip.

“It is time for us to disarm Putin and other countries who have the ability to wield energy as a weapon.”

Manchin also shared his thoughts on Twitter:

“The decision to #BanRussianImports was a necessary one but, moving forward, we cannot allow any nation the ability to weaponize energy. We MUST meet the moment with a commonsense & realistic path forward to ensure energy security for ourselves & our allies.”