House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement after passage of the Republican Budget  Resolution:

“House Republicans today passed a responsible, balanced budget that will grow our economy, cut wasteful government spending and help create new American jobs. The Republican plan will unlock American energy - allowing new production on our public lands and waters and approving vital projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. For American families and businesses that continue to struggle with rising energy costs and soaring gasoline prices, the policies in this budget will help provide relief, create new economic opportunities and generate millions in new revenue.

We have tremendous potential for new energy production on federal lands, but President Obama is actively and purposely keeping these resources off-limits. The Obama Administration is not only prohibiting energy development in new areas, but, in the case of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), is actually closing off millions of acres in an area that was specifically set aside for energy production. Of course, that hasn’t stopped the President for taking credit for increased energy production on state and private lands while energy production on federal lands declines. If the President is serious about creating jobs and tackling budget deficits, then he must stop locking-up our federal resources.”