Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2806

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-10-11T08:05:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to safeguard the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)—a national stockpile of emergency oil supplies—from being accessed or sold in ways that could benefit China. It seeks to prevent the transfer of these critical resources to entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party or for export to China, prioritizing U.S. national energy security.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Sales: The Secretary of Energy is barred from releasing (drawing down) and selling petroleum products from the SPR under two conditions:
• To any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party (the ruling political party in China).
• Without a strict condition that the products will not be exported to the People's Republic of China.
• Override Clause: This rule applies regardless of any conflicting existing laws, ensuring the prohibition takes precedence.
• Short Title: The bill is named the "Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Previously, the SPR could be drawn down and sold under various authorities (e.g., for emergencies or revenue generation), potentially allowing indirect flows to foreign entities, including those connected to China.
• This bill introduces an absolute ban on such transactions involving China-linked parties, overriding prior statutes like the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (which governs the SPR). It limits the Secretary's flexibility in sales, adding a geopolitical restriction not explicitly present before.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Energy (DOE) will face new administrative hurdles in managing SPR sales, requiring enhanced vetting of buyers to ensure compliance, which could slow down emergency responses or revenue-generating auctions.
• On Citizens: U.S. consumers and the economy may benefit from preserved reserves during potential oil shortages, reducing risks of higher fuel prices tied to foreign dependencies; however, it could limit short-term revenue from sales that might otherwise lower federal deficits.
• On International Relations: This could heighten tensions with China by signaling U.S. distrust in its energy dealings, potentially affecting broader trade or diplomatic ties; it may encourage allies to adopt similar protective measures against strategic resource sharing.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government and Agencies: Primarily the DOE and Congress, as it constrains executive branch actions on national reserves.
• Energy Sector: U.S. oil companies and buyers of SPR releases, who must navigate new export restrictions to avoid penalties.
• China-Linked Entities: Foreign firms or governments tied to the Chinese Communist Party, now ineligible for SPR purchases.
• U.S. Citizens and Taxpayers: Indirectly protected through maintained energy reserves, but potentially impacted by any delays in SPR use for economic relief.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens congressional oversight of executive decisions on natural resources, potentially leading to court challenges if seen as overly restrictive on the President's foreign policy powers (e.g., under Article II of the Constitution, which vests executive authority in trade and national security).
• Constitutional: Raises questions about the balance of powers, as it limits the executive branch's discretion in managing federal assets like the SPR, which is a tool for both domestic emergencies and international strategy.
• Political: Reflects growing bipartisan concerns over U.S.-China competition, particularly in energy and supply chains; it could set a precedent for targeted sanctions on strategic assets, influencing future legislation on national security amid geopolitical rivalries.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

Cosponsors (20)

Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham [R-AZ-8], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (2 pages)