H.R. 2806: Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the "Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act," aims to restrict the sale of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Here are the main provisions outlined in the bill:

Prohibition on Sales

The bill specifically prohibits the Secretary of Energy from:

selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity that is owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party.
allowing the sale of petroleum products to be exported to the People’s Republic of China under any circumstances.

This legislation is aimed at enhancing national security by preventing the transfer and export of strategic oil supplies to a country identified as a potential geopolitical adversary. The bill reflects concerns about energy security and foreign control of critical resources.

Context and Implications

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a crucial national asset intended to help the U.S. respond to emergencies that may disrupt oil supply. The bill indicates a strong stance against potential vulnerabilities created by transactions with China related to this reserve.

Administration and Enforcement

The implementation of this bill would place responsibilities on the Secretary of Energy to oversee and enforce these new restrictions, ensuring that the SPR is not utilized in a way that could be seen as aiding an adversarial state.

Additional Considerations

The bill also emphasizes that any sales of petroleum products from the SPR should be contingent upon strict controls to guarantee that none of the products end up in China, reinforcing the idea of maintaining strategic resources within the United States and limiting foreign influence.