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The House passed H.R. 26, which prevents the President from banning 'fracking' without an act of Congress. The bill passed 226-188 and now moves to the Senate.
This bill, the 'Protecting American Energy Production Act,' seeks to limit executive power by prohibiting the President from unilaterally declaring a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking.' Under this legislation, any federal ban or temporary pause on the practice would require a specific Act of Congress. The bill also includes a 'Sense of Congress' stating that individual states should maintain the primary authority to regulate fracking on state and private lands. In the U.S. House of Representatives, a vote on passage is the final step in the chamber's consideration of a bill. Because this bill passed, it is now formally sent to the Senate for debate. To become law, the Senate must pass the exact same version of the bill before it can be sent to the President's desk for a signature. The result followed strict party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure to protect domestic energy production and Democrats largely opposing it due to environmental and climate concerns. The bill passed with 226 votes, which was 18 votes more than the simple majority required.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further review.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill limits the executive branch's power over energy policy, potentially protecting the oil and gas industry from future environmental regulations imposed by the White House.
Who’s affected. Oil and natural gas industry: Would gain long-term certainty that fracking operations cannot be halted by the President alone. · Environmental advocacy groups: Would face a higher legislative hurdle to achieve federal bans on fracking for climate or safety reasons. · Energy consumers: Continued fracking production can influence the domestic supply and price of natural gas and heating oil.
Democrats. The vast majority of Democrats voted against the bill, though eight members broke with their party to vote 'yea.'
Republicans. Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the bill among those who were present to vote.
On Passage
Feb 7, 2025
The House passed H.R.
26, which prevents the President from banning 'fracking' without an act of Congress. The bill passed 226-188 and now moves to the Senate.
A vote on passage is the final decision by the House on whether to approve a bill. A 'yea' vote is a vote to send the bill to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill has been received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further review.
This bill limits the executive branch's power over energy policy, potentially protecting the oil and gas industry from future environmental regulations imposed by the White House.
The vote was a sharp party-line split, with Republicans united in support and nearly all Democrats opposed.
The vast majority of Democrats voted against the bill, though eight members broke with their party to vote 'yea.'
Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the bill among those who were present to vote.
The single independent member present voted 'yea.'