Congress Just Took Control – No More Bans Without Permission!

In a major move to safeguard American energy production, the Republican-led House passed legislation aimed at preventing future administrations from imposing bans on oil and gas drilling without congressional approval.

The bill, known as the “Protecting American Energy Production Act,” specifically prohibits any president from halting hydraulic fracturing—commonly known as fracking—unless Congress explicitly authorizes such a ban. Lawmakers approved the measure in a vote on Friday, with all Republican members supporting it, while 118 Democrats opposed it.

The push for this legislation follows several energy restrictions imposed by former President Joe Biden. In the final weeks of his term, Biden implemented a ban on future oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of coastal and offshore waters, a move that sparked significant industry backlash.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, who introduced the bill, emphasized that the Biden administration’s aggressive stance on energy regulation fueled the need for such protections.

“When President Biden took office, his administration took a ‘whole of government’ approach to wage war on American energy production, pandering to woke environmental extremists and crippling this thriving industry,” Pfluger stated after the bill’s passage.

He further stressed the importance of ensuring that no president can unilaterally cripple the energy sector. “My legislation that passed today is a necessary first step in reversing Biden’s war on energy by preventing the federal government from banning the use of hydraulic fracturing,” he added.

The legislation aligns with former President Donald Trump’s longstanding energy policy, which prioritizes domestic oil and gas production. Throughout his political career, Trump has championed the “drill, baby, drill” approach, promising to maximize American-made energy and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

If signed into law, this bill would place strict limitations on future administrations, ensuring that any attempt to ban fracking would require congressional approval. Supporters argue that this would provide stability to the energy sector and prevent politically motivated restrictions that could disrupt the industry.

Meanwhile, in a related move, Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum took steps to reverse Biden-era energy policies. On Monday, he announced the removal of what he called “coercive” climate policies and oil lease bans, launching internal investigations into regulations that may have hindered energy development.

As the political battle over energy policy continues, this legislation marks a significant effort by Republicans to cement long-term protections for the oil and gas industry. The outcome of this initiative could shape the direction of American energy independence for years to come.