RELEASE: Texas Energy Leadership Spotlighted as Rep. Cloud Discusses Corpus Christi Exports, Water Needs, and Regulatory Relief with Energy Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Michael Cloud spoke with Secretary Chris Wright about TX-27 and Corpus Christi’s booming energy exports during remarks yesterday before the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. Secretary Wright emphasized the critical role Texas is playing in powering the nation, while Congressman Cloud, who serves as Vice Chair of the subcommittee, asked the Secretary about faster permitting reforms to address water challenges and unlock even greater energy production across the Gulf of America.

In his opening remarks, Rep. Cloud took the opportunity to explain the larger geopolitical context of the need for energy security. “One of the important things, in this context, is that you and the President inherited a paradigm where China was outpacing us for world dominance for the next century. The President has turned the corner on that. Now, the keys to that, we can look at AI or other economic impacts, but those really come down to energy production… Connected to that is the importance of speed in getting that done,” said Rep. Cloud.

“We do have a situation right now in Corpus…we’re running out of water.” Rep. Cloud continued to Sec. Wright, “I know that you’re aware of that as well, and I wanted to just remind you of that and what the Department of Energy can do to help with that—working with administration and other agencies to help with that as well.”

Secretary Wright emphasized the importance of TX-27 in helping this Administration bring back affordable, reliable, and secure energy. “Your district there in Corpus is absolutely essential. Not only for American energy production, but of course it is our biggest gateway to ship crude oil abroad, and a huge gateway to ship LNG abroad,” said Sec. Wright.

In late February, Secretary Wright visited Corpus Christi alongside President Trump and had the opportunity to see firsthand the success of critical manufacturing and infrastructure projects in the Coastal Bend. He concluded, “It’s easy to stop something. It’s hard to build something. That’s a stagnant society. You and I, and the Trump Administration, want to build things in America again…We have to be able to build things in America again. I know you and I share that desire. You’ve delivered in your district, but we need the rest of the country to build big projects like you’ve done.”

Secretary Wright’s visit to Capitol Hill marked the first Budget Hearing of the Energy and Water Subcommittee in preparation for the FY27 Appropriations bills.