WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) penned an op-edin The Dallas Morning News making the case for why Congress must prioritize refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) while market conditions are favorable, and how it should be accomplished.
Representing the most prolific oil and gas producing region in the country, Rep. Pfluger warns that the SPR – America's emergency crude oil stockpile – remains dangerously depleted following the Biden administration's unprecedented drawdown. This has left the nation more vulnerable to global instability and supply disruptions.
With oil prices projected to remain relatively low through 2026, and geopolitical tensions rising across multiple regions, Rep. Pfluger argues that Congress has a narrow but critical window to act. He goes further to say that waiting to refill risks exposing critical vulnerabilities and leaving us with a weakened national security for when the next global crisis inevitably hits. As he writes, “Congress must build on the momentum from the WFTC and prioritize appropriating the necessary funds to fully replenish the SPR now– not after the next global disruption drives prices up or exposes a crippling vulnerability.”
The op-ed comes as Republicans outline 2026 priorities. While Republicans made historic progress in reestablishing American energy dominance in 2025, the work must continue through 2026. Rep. Pfluger argues that refilling the SPR is a commonsense step that strengthens national security, protects taxpayer dollars, and delivers on that commitment.
Read the full op-ed in The Dallas Morning NewsHERE, or in part below:
Refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve now, before it’s too late
By Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Following the 1970s oil crisis, Congress created the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as America’s insurance policy against global energy supply disruptions. For nearly half a century, this emergency crude oil stockpile has served as an indispensable safeguard – ready to cushion the blow from unexpected market shocks, natural disasters, or geopolitical conflicts.
Today, however, this vital insurance policy is running on fumes. At just 409 million barrels, the SPR is at its lowest level since its inception, with less than 60% of its capacity currently being utilized.
This depletion stems largely from the Biden administration’s unprecedented drawdown of more than 29 million barrels in 2022 in an attempt to ease high gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the move temporarily worked, it was the largest drawdown in the reserve’s history and came with no viable plan to replace what was taken.
Three years later, the SPR remains dangerously depleted, and now the structural integrity of the salt caverns that protect the remaining barrels is at serious risk.
Fortunately, there is a clear solution, and Washington must act on it.
Read the full op-ed HEREor by clicking the image below.
