Protecting American Energy Production Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/26
Last Updated: April 23, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

ID: P000048

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

February 10, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative lunacy, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this trainwreck and expose the festering wound that is HR 26.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Protecting American Energy Production Act (PAEPA) - a title so laughably Orwellian it's almost as if they're trying to be ironic. The main purpose of this bill is to prevent a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, because God forbid we actually consider the environmental and health consequences of injecting toxic chemicals into the ground.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill's primary provision is to prohibit the President from declaring a moratorium on fracking unless authorized by an Act of Congress. Because, you know, the President might actually try to do something responsible with their executive powers. This provision is essentially a preemptive strike against any attempts to regulate the fossil fuel industry.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved in this farce:

* The oil and gas lobby, who will stop at nothing to ensure their profits continue to flow like the toxic wastewater they produce. * State governments, who will be granted primacy over regulating fracking on state and private lands. Because local control is always a great idea when it comes to environmental issues (sarcasm alert). * The American people, who will once again be forced to bear the costs of this industry's reckless behavior.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a symptom of a deeper disease - the corruption and capture of our government by corporate interests. By preventing any meaningful regulation of fracking, PAEPA ensures that the oil and gas industry can continue to ravage our environment with impunity.

The potential impact? More earthquakes, more contaminated water sources, more respiratory problems for nearby communities. But hey, at least the energy companies will make a killing (pun intended).

In conclusion, HR 26 is a legislative abomination that prioritizes corporate profits over public health and environmental protection. It's a classic case of " regulatory capture," where our elected officials are more concerned with serving their donors than their constituents.

As I always say, "Everyone lies." And in this case, the sponsors of PAEPA are lying about their true intentions - to protect the interests of their corporate masters at any cost. The rest is just legislative theater designed to distract us from the real disease: a government that's terminally ill with corruption and greed.

Related Topics

Civil Rights & Liberties Transportation & Infrastructure National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs Government Operations & Accountability Federal Budget & Appropriations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (house personality)

đź’° Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$101,135
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$7,600
Committees
$0
Individuals
$93,535

No PAC contributions found

1
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
2 transactions
$6,600
2
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
WILSON, CELIA R
4 transactions
$22,400
2
PUDWILL, JAMES
2 transactions
$13,200
3
GELBMAN, JOEL
2 transactions
$13,200
4
DIMEMMO, COLETTE
1 transaction
$6,600
5
AUSTIN, RUTH
2 transactions
$6,600
6
WILSON, WORD B
1 transaction
$5,000
7
O'BRIEN, JAMES
1 transaction
$3,435
8
WIDENER, BROCK
1 transaction
$3,300
9
POOL, VALRIE S
1 transaction
$3,300
10
KAMON, KENNETH
1 transaction
$3,300
11
ZALIK, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
12
JENNINGS, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
13
WALKER, TODD
1 transaction
$3,300
14
HIDUKE, MARK
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

ID: H001093

Top Contributors

10

1
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE TRIBE OF CALIFORNIA
Organization UPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
2
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
3
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
Organization BELCOURT, ND
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 19, 2023
5
BANKE, BARBARA
JACKSON FAMILY FOUNDATION • EXECUTIVE
Individual GEYSERVILLE, CA
$6,600
Dec 7, 2023
6
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 6, 2024
7
GRIFFIN, KENNETH
CITADEL LLC • FOUNDER CEO
Individual MIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Apr 10, 2023
8
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTION LLC • EXECUTIVE
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Jun 28, 2023
9
ROWAN, MARC
APOLLO MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS • EXECUTIVE
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Jun 28, 2023
10
KIESLER, DOUGLAS M MR.
KIESLER POLICE SUPPLY, INC. • CEO
Individual GREENVILLE, IN
$6,600
Feb 22, 2023

Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

ID: B000740

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
COM CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Dec 27, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
COM TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
COM TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Jun 10, 2024
4
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
COM CHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Dec 19, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND
PAC BANNING, CA
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
6
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
COM OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Aug 7, 2024
7
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
COM LAKESIDE, CA
$1,000
Jun 30, 2023
8
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
COM OKMULGEE, OK
$500
Dec 5, 2023
9
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$3,300
Dec 24, 2023
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 22, 2024

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

ID: L000599

Top Contributors

10

1
MURTAGH, COSSU, VENDITTI & CASTRO-BLANCO, LLP
Organization WHITE PLAINS, NY
$1,000
Feb 24, 2024
2
BATMASIAN, JAMES
INVESTMENTS LIMITED • OWNER
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 27, 2023
3
BATMASIAN, JAMES
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
4
AUSTIN, ROBERT
UNAKA CO., INC. • BUSINESSMAN
Individual DALLAS, TX
$6,600
Jul 18, 2024
5
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 15, 2024
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
Individual SURFSIDE, FL
$6,534
Feb 22, 2024
7
SCALA, MARY ELLEN
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual PORT CHESTER, NY
$5,300
Aug 27, 2023
8
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
SELF • PRESIDENT
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 24, 2024
9
DEUTSCH, SHMULEY
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,900
Jun 25, 2024
10
PERLMUTTER, RAFUEL
GOLDEN TASTE • CEO
Individual SPRING VALLEY, NY
$3,400
Jun 24, 2024

Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]

ID: B001282

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COM ATMORE, AL
$3,300
May 24, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
COM ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 20, 2024
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
COM LOS ANGELES, CA
$2,500
Dec 31, 2024
4
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
COM LIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Jun 29, 2023
5
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
COM OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Oct 30, 2024
6
TED J. BALESTRERI ENTERPRISES
Organization MONTEREY, CA
$1,000
Dec 6, 2023
7
QUEENSLAKE
Organization GEORGETOWN, KY
$300
Feb 12, 2024
8
MICHIGAN AGGREGATES ASSOCIATION PAC
Organization OKEMOS, MI
$300
Feb 27, 2024
9
NORTH WOODS YOGA
Organization PETOSKEY, MI
$250
Oct 8, 2024
10
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024

Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

ID: G000594

Top Contributors

10

1
KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS
Organization EAGLE PASS, TX
$5,000
May 4, 2024
2
KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS
Organization EAGLE PASS, TX
$3,300
Nov 3, 2023
3
TIGUA INDIAN RES.-YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
Organization EL PASO, TX
$2,500
Sep 27, 2024
4
TIGUA INDIAN RES.-YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
Organization EL PASO, TX
$2,500
Sep 27, 2024
5
KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS
Organization EAGLE PASS, TX
$1,700
Nov 3, 2023
6
KICKAPOO TRADITIONAL TRIBE OF TEXAS
Organization EAGLE PASS, TX
$1,600
May 4, 2024
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 16, 2023
8
O'KRENT FLOORS
Organization SAN ANTONIO, TX
$1,000
Aug 4, 2023
9
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
Organization LIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
10
PEROT, H ROSS JR.
SELF EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
Individual DALLAS, TX
$6,700
Mar 27, 2023

Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

ID: C001118

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Oct 31, 2023
2
JOHNSON, CAMERON MR.
MAGIC CITY FORD • CAR DEALER
Individual ROANOKE, VA
$3,300
Nov 21, 2024
3
ROSENBERG, DIANE MS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual ROANOKE, VA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
4
STOLTZFUS, MELISSA
HOMEMAKER • HOMEMAKER
Individual BRIDGEWATER, VA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
5
STOLTZFUS, MICHAEL
DYNAMIC AVIATION • PRESIDENT & CEO
Individual BRIDGEWATER, VA
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
6
STOLTZFUS, MICHAEL
DYNAMIC AVIATION • PRESIDENT & CEO
Individual BRIDGEWATER, VA
$3,300
Nov 13, 2024
7
CLINE, JULIA S MRS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual LEXINGTON, VA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
8
CLINE, JULIA S MRS.
RETIRED • RETIRED
Individual LEXINGTON, VA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
9
CARTLEDGE, GEORGE B MR. III
GRAND HOME FURNISHINGS • PRESIDENT
Individual ROANOKE, VA
$3,300
Mar 30, 2023
10
CARTLEDGE, GEORGE B MR. III
GRAND HOME FURNISHINGS • PRESIDENT
Individual ROANOKE, VA
$3,300
Mar 30, 2023

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

ID: G000603

Top Contributors

10

1
RALLYE MOTORS
Organization ROSLYN, NY
$6,000
Jul 18, 2023
2
RALLYE MOTORS
Organization ROSLYN, NY
$6,000
Jun 5, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 1, 2024
4
BOERNE STAGE AIRFIELD
Organization BOERNE, TX
$2,500
Mar 12, 2024
5
HOLMES LAW
Organization DALLAS, TX
$500
Feb 14, 2024
6
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
7
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,000
Mar 15, 2024
9
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Jun 22, 2023
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jun 22, 2023

Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12]

ID: G000601

Top Contributors

10

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 19, 2023
2
ALLEN BOONE HUMPHRIES ROBINSON LLP
Organization HOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,300
May 23, 2024
4
GOLDSTEIN, DARIN
SDG CAPITAL MANAGEMENT • MANAGER
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
May 31, 2023
5
GOLDSTEIN, DARIN
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Jun 19, 2023
6
SCHWARTZ, DAVID
SLATE PROPERTY GROUP • EXECUTIVE
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Oct 17, 2023
7
SCHWARTZ, DAVID
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Oct 26, 2023
8
ADAMS, RICHARD
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 26, 2024
9
ANDREESSEN, MARC
SELF • ATTORNEY
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
10
BARTH, RICHARD
MARYLAND • PROFESSOR
Individual BALTIMORE, MD
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024

Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

ID: M001204

Top Contributors

10

1
PRIDE MOBILITY PRODUCTS CORP
Organization DURYEA, PA
$2,500
Sep 18, 2024
2
COTLER, YUDACUFSKI, HUEBNER
Organization SAINT CLAIR, PA
$1,000
Apr 23, 2024
3
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONS • PRESIDENT
Individual LEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Mar 25, 2024
4
PEYKOFF, ANDY
NIAGARA BOTTLING, LLC • CEO
Individual LAS VEGAS, NV
$6,600
Mar 22, 2024
5
DOWD, JOHN J
SUNDANCE VACATIONS • PRESIDENT
Individual LEHIGHTON, PA
$6,600
Sep 18, 2024
6
ROWAN, MARC J
APOLLO MANAGEMENT • MANAGEMENT
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
7
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTION • OWNER
Individual GREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Aug 23, 2023
8
RICH, BRIAN R MR. JR
GILBERTON COAL CO. • EXECUTIVE SALES
Individual CONSHOHOCKEN, PA
$6,600
Oct 24, 2024
9
VOLPE, ELLEN M
SELF • HOMEMAKER
Individual WAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023
10
VOLPE, CHARLES J
EXCALIBUR INSURANCE MGMT • PRESIDENT
Individual WAVERLY TOWNSHIP, PA
$5,800
May 31, 2023

Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

ID: L000600

Top Contributors

10

1
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
PAC CHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
2
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
PAC SALAMANCA, NY
$3,300
May 30, 2024
3
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
COM ONEIDA, NY
$2,500
Mar 31, 2023
4
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
PAC ONEIDA, NY
$2,000
Jun 17, 2024
5
SENECA NATION OF INDIANS
COM SALAMANCA, NY
$1,500
Mar 7, 2023
6
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
PAC ONEIDA, NY
$1,200
Jun 17, 2024
7
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$1,000
Jun 19, 2023
8
2504 NIAGARA FALLS BOULEVARD LLC
Organization WILLIAMSVILLE, NY
$500
Dec 27, 2023
9
BARCLAY DAMON LLP
Organization SYRACUSE, NY
$500
Sep 26, 2023
10
BARRY ZEPLOWITZ & ASSOCIATES
Organization WILLIAMSVILLE, NY
$250
Aug 2, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 34 nodes and 38 connections

Total contributions: $155,035

Top Donors - Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs14 Individuals

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document. Higher similarity scores indicate stronger thematic connections.

Introduction

Moderate 60.0%
Pages: 554-556

— 522 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise similar agency actions made in compliance with that order.18 Meanwhile, the new Administration must immediately reinstate the following Trump DOI sec- retarial orders: l SO 3348: Concerning the Federal Coal Moratorium;19 l SO 3349: American Energy Independence;20 l SO 3350: America-First Offshore Energy Strategy;21 l SO 3351: Strengthening the Department of the Interior’s Energy Portfolio;22 l SO 3352: National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska;23 l SO 3354: Supporting and Improving the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program and Federal Solid Mineral Leasing Program;24 l SO 3355: Streamlining National Environmental Policy Reviews and Implementation of Executive Order 13807, “Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects”;25 l SO 3358: Executive Committee for Expedited Permitting;26 l SO 3360: Rescinding Authorities Inconsistent with Secretary’s Order 3349, “American Energy Independence;”27 l SO 3380: Public Notice of the Costs Associated with Developing Department of the Interior Publications and Similar Documents;28 l SO 3385: Enforcement Priorities;29 and l SO 3389: Coordinating and Clarifying National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Reviews.30 Actions. At the same time, the new Administration must: l Reinstate quarterly onshore lease sales in all producing states according to the model of BLM’s IM 2018–034, with the slight adjustment of including expanded public notice and comment.31 The new Administration should work with Congress on legislation, such as the Lease Now Act32 and — 523 — Department of the Interior ONSHORE Act,33 to increase state participation and federal accountability for energy production on the federal estate. l Conduct offshore oil and natural gas lease sales to the maximum extent permitted under the 2023–2028 lease program,34 with the possibility to move forward under a previously studied but unselected plan alternative.35 l Develop immediately and finalize a new five-year plan, while working with Congress to reform the OCSLA by eliminating five-year plans in favor of rolling or quarterly lease sales. l Review all resource management plans finalized in the previous four years and, when necessary, select studied alternatives to restore the multi-use concept enshrined in FLPMA and to eliminate management decisions that advance the 30 by 30 agenda. l Set rents, royalty rates, and bonding requirements to no higher than what is required under the Inflation Reduction Act.36 l Comply with the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to establish a competitive leasing and development program in the Coastal Plain, an area of Alaska that was set aside by Congress specifically for future oil and gas exploration and development. It is often referred to as the “Section 1002 Area” after the section of ANILCA that excludes the area from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s wilderness designation.37 l Conclude the programmatic review of the coal leasing program, and work with the congressional delegations and governors of Wyoming and Montana to restart the program immediately.38 l Abandon withdrawals of lands from leasing in the Thompson Divide of the White River National Forest, Colorado; the 10-mile buffer around Chaco Cultural Historic National Park in New Mexico (restoring the compromise forged in the Arizona Wilderness Act39); and the Boundary Waters area in northern Minnesota if those withdrawals have not been completed.40 Meanwhile, revisit associated leases and permits for energy and mineral production in these areas in consultation with state elected officials. l Require regional offices to complete right-of-way and drilling permits within the average time it takes states in the region to complete them.

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text. A score of 60% or higher indicates meaningful thematic overlap. This does not imply direct causation or intent, but highlights areas where legislation aligns with Project 2025 policy objectives.