Biden destroyed our energy independence. He halted our own pipeline. And he left us dependent on foreign oil.
For months I’ve wondered what Biden’s reasoning could t be. Why weaken a nation? Especially a nation you profess to lead? Well, after learning how our own lobbyists are making millions in Russia, I have a fresh new outlook. Perhaps there’s a reason Biden wants us to buy oil overseas- he’s lining pockets again.
Putin pulled the trigger, invading the Ukraine, but not before Germany halted the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. This particular pipeline would move gas from Russia to Germany, and even up the current output. Thus, it stands to be a big money maker. And plenty of Americans have been the ones making the money. Which leads me to ask myself if Biden is purposely aiding these particular lobbyists. The whole thing is a bit baffling.
Recent reports explain:
According to records reported by OpenSecrets.org, Nord Stream 2 paid American lobbying firm Roberti Global $5 million since 2020 for co-founder Vincent Roberti to lobby in support of the pipeline.
Roberti is a Democratic donor and a former adviser to President Biden’s 2008 run for president.
Likewise, Nord Stream 2 has paid roughly $1.6 million to BGR Group for the services of Walker Roberts since 2020, according to OpenSecrets.org. Roberts worked in the Reagan White House and on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under Chairman Richard Lugar.
In recent months, Russia has used Gazprom to cut natural gas to Ukraine. In January, it reduced its daily transport of gas via Ukraine to Europe to a two-year low of about 50 million cubic meters.
Additionally, records showed that five companies supporting the pipeline paid lobbyists at the firm McLarty Inbound upward of $1.6 million since 2020 to support the pipeline.
Of course, none of the lobbyists wanted to go on record in response to their new found fortunes.
Biden Steps In?
While the Ukraine invasion is topping the headlines, no one expects Biden to have any positive influence on the situation. Instead, his lack of leadership seems to be the reason Putin suddenly made such a disastrous move.
Now, Biden wants to impose sanctions, a move Republicans suggested months ago while Putin clearly prepared himself for his invasion. Of course, at that time, Biden’s move would’ve been an effective deterrent, assuming they weren’t lined with a long list of exemptions. At this point, it’s mere reaction. Apparently, Biden is unaware of one fundamental rule of leadership. The best defense is a good offense. But it’s way too late for that.
Fox News adds:
Biden announced that he will be imposing sanctions on the pipeline owner in response to Russian actions in Ukraine, reversing a 2021 decision to waive sanctions on the project.
“These steps are another piece of our initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine,” Biden said. “As I have made clear, we will not hesitate to take further steps if Russia continues to escalate.”
The Biden administration previously did not take steps to stop the pipeline, despite bipartisan support for it in Congress. The White House did, however, encourage Democrats to oppose a bill from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would have imposed sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans against European business leaders connected to the pipeline.
While six Democrats voted for the bill, it failed to get 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster. Instead, the White House and the majority of Senate Democrats backed a bill from Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., that took a broader approach to sanctions against Russia.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., spoke against Cruz’s bill, arguing during remarks on the Senate floor in January that it “won’t make the Nord Stream pipeline any less likely,” and that the proposed sanctions were “feckless” because Russia would be able to get around them “easily withing 30 to 60 days” by reworking the project’s financing and administration.
Due to Russia deeming the pipeline a commercial project despite being run by a government-owned company, lobbyists have registered pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which does not require that they disclose which government officials they have met with. Typically, lobbyists working on behalf of foreign governments have to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which would require that they publicize who they meet with.
