House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faced backlash after criticizing President Joe Biden on X for dismantling the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve (NGSR), despite having previously supported the measure himself. The NGSR, a strategic emergency fuel reserve for northeastern states, contained 1 million barrels of gasoline.
“It’s clear that the Biden Administration only cares about the American people’s concerns when it’s time to beg for their votes. Disgraceful,” Johnson wrote, decrying the liquidation of the reserve. However, as various sources pointed out, Johnson’s criticism overlooked his own role in approving the selloff. Newsweek detailed the bipartisan agreement in March, explaining that under a fiscal bill for the U.S.
Department of Energy, the same volume of petroleum was scheduled for sale—effectively ending the NGSR located in New York Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts, and South Portland, Maine. The bill, resulting from cross-party negotiations, was part of broader governmental budget agreements.
Adding to the discussion, Patrick de Haan, a petroleum analysis expert from Gas Buddy, noted that the idea to dismantle the NGSR originated during the Trump administration. He shared a report from that time, which justified the proposal by stating, “The NGSR is very costly to maintain, has not been used for its intended purpose, and is not a practical solution for a severe supply interruption, as, for example, the reserve would only be able to meet one day’s worth of gasoline demand in the Northeast States.”
Social media users quickly seized on the inconsistency of Johnson’s position. “Lol you put this in the budget that YOU passed,” commented @BlackKnight10k, criticizing the speaker for blaming the Biden administration for a decision he was involved in. Jillian M. Hurley, another commenter, reiterated this point: “Mike Johnson and Congress approved this sale in the appropriations bill.”
The term “lying liar who lies” was used by @PeonyPrincess27 to describe Johnson’s contradictory stance.
This incident highlights the complexities and often overlooked details of bipartisan negotiations and the potential for political figures to shift blame or reinterpret decisions based on changing political winds. Johnson’s criticism of President Biden, despite his prior approval of the same action, serves as a pointed example of the political maneuvering that can occur within U.S. legislative processes.