“Protecting American Energy Production Act” marks a major win for Trump and GOP-led House amid plummeting Democratic approval
Published: July 22, 2025
In a sweeping move that has reignited the national energy debate, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a controversial bill on Friday aimed at protecting oil and gas drilling from future executive bans. The legislation—titled the Protecting American Energy Production Act—was approved by a vote of 226 to 188 and signals a growing determination within the GOP to solidify America’s fossil fuel industry.
At the heart of the legislation is a provision that prevents any sitting president from unilaterally issuing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing—commonly known as fracking—without explicit congressional approval.
“All Republican members voted in favor of the bill,” according to official voting records, while 118 Democrats opposed it. The outcome underscores the deep partisan divide on energy and environmental issues.
A Direct Response to Biden-Era Policies
The bill comes as a direct rebuke to the late-stage executive actions taken by former President Joe Biden, who implemented sweeping restrictions on new oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal and offshore territory.
Representative August Pfluger (R-TX), the bill’s primary sponsor, criticized the Biden administration’s approach as being driven by “radical environmentalists.”
“When President Biden took office, his administration waged war on American energy production,” said Pfluger. “Today’s legislation is a crucial first step in pushing back against those efforts and ensuring our energy independence.”
If signed into law, the bill would serve as a legislative shield, making it significantly more difficult for future administrations to ban fracking or restrict energy production through executive authority alone.
Trump’s Energy Agenda Accelerates
The passage of the bill represents another political victory for President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year. His administration has prioritized energy expansion, reviving the campaign slogan “Drill, baby, drill” as a call to reinvigorate domestic production.
In tandem with Friday’s vote, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum launched internal investigations this week to identify and eliminate regulatory barriers to oil development. The inquiries will target what Trump officials call “coercive climate policies” established during the Biden era.
Polls Reveal Deep Discontent Among Democrats
As the GOP celebrates legislative gains, new polling data reveals growing dissatisfaction among Democratic voters. According to a recent Quinnipiac University survey, just 21% of voters approve of how Democrats in Congress are handling their responsibilities—a record low since the university began tracking the metric in 2009.
Among Democrats themselves, a striking 53% expressed disapproval of their party’s performance in Congress.
Meanwhile, Republicans fared better in the poll, with 79% of GOP voters approving of congressional Republicans. Still, their overall public approval sits at just 32%, signaling broader frustration with Washington from both sides of the aisle.
Rising Pressure Ahead of Midterms
The political turbulence is compounded by recent Republican gains among historically Democratic-leaning constituencies, including Black, Hispanic, and younger voters. Many analysts view the energy legislation as a strategic move to shore up support ahead of the pivotal 2026 midterm elections.
For now, Democrats appear to be caught in a precarious position—grappling with internal divisions and an energized Republican base that is rapidly pushing forward a bold and controversial agenda.
Whether or not this legislation becomes law, one thing is clear: the political stakes are higher than ever, and the battle over America’s energy future is far from over.