House passes bill preventing presidents from enacting unilateral fracking ban
During the last gasps of his tenure in the White House President Joe Biden took a series of radical, last-minute steps to solidify his left-wing green agenda and frustrate the incoming administration's efforts in support of American energy independence.
In response to Biden's eleventh-hour moves, the House of Representatives on Friday passed the Protecting American Energy Production Act by a vote of 226-188, approving a measure spearheaded by Republican Rep. August Pfluger, which prevents any president from banning fracking without the consent of Congress, as the Daily Caller reports.
Pfluger heralds bill's importance
Describing what he views as the critical nature of the legislation, Pfluger told the Daily Caller News Foundation that it is a “necessary first step” in undoing the harmful steps taken by the Biden administration to hinder domestic fossil fuel production.
Pfluger explained, “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.”
The congressman continued, “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.”
Pfluger further asserted, “Fracking is a safe, clean, and effective way to produce affordable energy and strengthen our national security.”
“This bill advances President [Donald] Trump's pro-energy agenda to restore America's position as the world's top oil and gas producer,” Pfluger asserted, though the measure's prospect for Senate passage remain unclear.
Lawmakers praise decisive action
Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson offered his constituents the reasons behind his support of the bill, stating, “The American people gave Republicans a mandate to unleash American-made energy, reduce energy costs, and restore energy independence.”
Simpson continued, “During President Trump's first term, the United States achieved energy independence for the first time in 70 years. With a new Republican trifecta, we are determined to reclaim this victory. Passing critical legislation to restore energy dominance and protect American energy production puts us back on track toward energy independence.”
After seeing the bill make it over the finish line in the House, Pfluger, together with House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), issued a statement on the outcome.
“The Biden administration and extreme Democrats did everything in their power to destroy domestic American energy production and increase costs,” McClain declared. “On November 5th, Americans said they were tired of that Green New Deal, anti-energy agenda and are ready for change.”
It remains to be seen whether Pfluger's bill will achieve the sort of success in the Senate that it did in the House, but it is difficult to dispute that his agenda – which is Trump's agenda – has widespread support among the electorate.
