House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recently shared a concerning anecdote about a meeting he had with President Biden early last year. Johnson recounted how during the meeting, Biden appeared to forget that he had signed an executive order pausing the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Johnson revealed this story during a podcast interview, where he expressed his observations that Biden seemed to not be fully in charge. The Speaker had been persistent in trying to schedule a meeting with the President amid pressing national concerns, eventually leading to an unexpected encounter in the Oval Office.
During the meeting, which Johnson described as an 'ambush,' Biden, along with other prominent figures, engaged in discussions about Ukraine funding. It was during this intense conversation that Johnson raised the issue of the LNG export pause to Europe, expressing concerns about its impact on allies and national security.
Surprisingly, Biden seemed unaware of the executive order he had signed just weeks prior, denying any knowledge of pausing LNG exports. Johnson emphasized the potential economic and security risks posed by the pause, even going as far as suggesting they review the order together.
The pause on LNG exports, initiated by Biden in January 2024, has faced criticism from various quarters, including bipartisan lawmakers and the oil community. Studies have indicated that the export ban could jeopardize nearly 1 million jobs over the next two decades and have significant adverse effects on the U.S. GDP and government revenues.
Looking ahead, President-elect Trump reportedly intends to prioritize the issue of LNG exports once he assumes office, signaling a potential shift in policy direction on this critical matter.
