H.R. 1949 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Nov 20, 2025. Received Dec 2, 2025; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryShifts natural gas export approval to FERC
This bill removes certain restrictions on importing and exporting natural gas across U.S. borders. Right now, the Department of Energy approves whether natural gas can be imported or exported, while the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approves the physical facilities where this happens. This bill would give FERC both jobs—deciding whether to allow the imports and exports themselves, and approving the facilities. FERC would need to decide these cases based on whether they serve the public interest.
How it affects you
This change mainly affects natural gas companies and energy businesses that want to build or expand import and export terminals. For most people, the impact isn't direct, though it could eventually influence natural gas prices and availability depending on how FERC applies its new authority.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 6, 2025)
Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025
This bill repeals certain restrictions on the import and export of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, including requirements for Department of Energy (DOE) approval and related provisions that address free trade agreements.
In addition, the bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the exclusive authority to approve or deny applications to authorize the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of facilities (e.g., liquefied natural gas terminals) to export natural gas to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. (Currently, DOE authorizes the export or import of natural gas, and FERC authorizes related facilities.)
In determining whether to approve or deny an application, FERC must deem the exportation or importation of natural gas to be consistent with the public interest.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1949
AN ACT
Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) · Introduced Mar 6, 2025 · Energy · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 8, 2025: “Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 286.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Passage · Nov 20, 2025
Passage Passed 217–188
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 11 | 188 | 15 |
| Republicans | 206 | 0 | 13 |
11 members voted against most of their party: 11 Democrats voted Yes.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 4 official versions.