The Republican-led House of Representatives recently approved legislation aimed at restricting the ability of future presidents to prohibit oil and gas drilling without congressional approval. The bill, titled the “Protecting American Energy Production Act,” passed with a 226 to 188 vote.
The bill specifically prevents the president from imposing a ban on hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, unless explicitly authorized by Congress. Republican lawmakers unanimously supported the measure, while 118 Democrats voted against it.
The legislation comes in response to former President Joe Biden’s actions during his term in office. Just weeks before leaving the White House, Biden implemented a ban on new oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of coastal and offshore waters. This move, along with other regulations aimed at limiting fossil fuel extraction, was part of his administration’s broader climate policy agenda.
Representative August Pfluger of Texas, who introduced the bill, emphasized that concerns over potential fracking bans during the Biden administration motivated the legislation. Pfluger strongly criticized the president’s energy policies, stating that the administration had taken a “whole of government” approach to diminish domestic energy production in favor of environmental policies he deemed excessive.
“When President Biden took office, his administration launched an aggressive campaign against American energy production, catering to environmental activists at the expense of a thriving industry,” Pfluger said in a statement following the bill’s passage. “The legislation that passed today is a crucial step in reversing Biden’s restrictions on energy production by ensuring that hydraulic fracturing cannot be banned by federal mandate.”
The legislation aligns with former President Donald Trump’s energy policies, which focused on expanding domestic energy production under his “drill, baby, drill” approach. Trump has long advocated for policies that maximize the use of American energy resources and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
If signed into law, the bill would prevent future administrations from implementing broad restrictions on fracking without congressional approval, effectively securing the drilling method’s continued use for years to come.
In a related development, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced an internal review of policies implemented during the Biden administration that he claimed burdened the energy sector. The department’s review seeks to identify and remove regulations that placed restrictions on oil leasing and development, in an effort to promote domestic energy growth.
The passage of the bill in the House took place on the same day as an unusual moment on the House floor, where Representative John Larson of Connecticut appeared to experience a medical episode during a speech.
Larson, a 76-year-old Democrat, was addressing concerns regarding Social Security when he suddenly paused and appeared disoriented. During his remarks, he seemed to struggle with his words, pausing mid-sentence before resuming in a slower and less coherent manner.
“Don’t worry, no one on the Republican side of the House and US Senate who control both the House and Senate is going to speak up—,” Larson said before stopping abruptly. He then appeared to stare ahead, momentarily unable to continue.
After a brief pause, Larson slowly resumed speaking, though his words were somewhat slurred. “But we need to … protect Americans’ privacy and … their Social Security.”
As the incident gained attention online, his office quickly issued a statement attributing the episode to a reaction to new medication.
“Congressman Larson appreciates the well wishes from everyone who has reached out. This afternoon, he had what was likely an adverse reaction to a new medication and is having tests administered by the House Attending Physician out of an abundance of caution,” his team stated.
They further reassured the public, noting that Larson was able to participate in multiple meetings later that day and remained alert and engaged. “The Congressman remains in touch with his staff and in good spirits,” the statement added.
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Medical concerns among older politicians have increasingly drawn attention, particularly in the Senate, where the average age of members is around 65, according to the Pew Research Center. Several high-profile incidents have raised questions about the health and capacity of aging lawmakers to effectively carry out their duties.
The passage of the Protecting American Energy Production Act and the health concerns surrounding older members of Congress continue to fuel discussions on energy policy, leadership stability, and the long-term direction of the country’s energy sector.
