Congressman James Gallagher’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act examining the national defense impacts of California’s energy policies is one step closer to consideration by the House after being made in order by the House Rules Committee.
Gallagher continues his crusade to lower gas prices by challenging Governor Gavin Newsom and California’s Democratic legislative majority, arguing their energy policies have made California more dependent on foreign fuel while driving up costs for working families. He has consistently emphasized that excessive regulation has discouraged investment in refining infrastructure, contributing to refinery closures and weakening America’s energy independence.
Gallagher’s amendment would require the federal government to assess how state policies that reduce domestic refining capacity could affect the long-term reliability of the fuel supply America’s military depends on during national emergencies and national security crises.
“I’m not going to sit by while California politicians continue driving gas prices higher for families across this country,” said Gallagher. “I will use every tool available to push back against policies that reduce our fuel supply, raise costs, and weaken American energy security.”
Gallagher’s proposal was selected as one of only 312 amendments made in order for floor consideration out of 1,400 amendments submitted to the annual defense authorization bill.
California hosts several of the nation’s most strategically important military installations, including Travis Air Force Base, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Naval Base San Diego, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Each depends on a stable supply of refined petroleum products to carry out its mission. As California’s refining capacity declines and the state becomes increasingly dependent on imported fuel, those installations could face greater fuel supply challenges during national emergencies or military conflicts.
“Our military depends on a reliable domestic refining industry to fuel aircraft, ships, vehicles, and emergency response operations,” Gallagher continued. “As California loses refining capacity and becomes increasingly dependent on imported fuel, we create an unnecessary vulnerability during national emergencies or military conflicts. America should never allow misguided state policies to weaken the energy infrastructure our armed forces rely upon.”
The House is expected to consider Gallagher’s amendment during debate on the National Defense Authorization Act later this week.
