Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a new bill aimed at limiting executive authority over oil and gas drilling restrictions. The legislation, known as the Protecting American Energy Production Act, was approved by a vote of 226 to 188.
The bill seeks to ensure that any future decision to pause or ban hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) or oil and gas drilling would require direct approval from Congress, rather than being enacted through executive orders.
Supporters of the legislation argue that this change would promote energy stability and prevent sudden policy shifts that could impact domestic energy production and related jobs. Critics, however, have expressed concerns about environmental and regulatory oversight.
The bill was introduced in response to recent restrictions affecting drilling activities on federal lands and offshore areas. If signed into law, the measure would prevent future administrations from independently imposing moratoriums on energy production practices like fracking without congressional consent.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior has launched a review of certain agency actions and policies to assess their impact on domestic energy development. Officials said the goal is to streamline processes while balancing energy production with environmental safeguards.
In a separate development on Capitol Hill, Representative John Larson of Connecticut briefly paused during a speech on the House floor, appearing momentarily disoriented. His office later explained the incident as a likely adverse reaction to a new medication.
“Congressman Larson appreciates the well wishes from everyone who reached out,” his staff said in a statement. “He is being evaluated out of an abundance of caution and has since resumed normal activities.”
The event highlights ongoing public interest in the health and wellness of lawmakers, particularly as the average age of Congress continues to trend higher. Recent data shows the average age of U.S. Senators is approximately 65 years old.
