House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a sweeping update following the passage of the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025, legislation advanced by the GOP-controlled House to reverse what Republicans describe as former President Joe Biden’s “catastrophic natural gas ban.” In a press release, Johnson praised the bill as a pivotal step toward restoring American energy independence and rebuilding the nation’s credibility as a global supplier of liquefied natural gas. He emphasized that the measure represents a coordinated effort between President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to reopen energy markets, stabilize domestic energy costs, and prevent future administrations from imposing politically motivated limits on natural gas exports. Johnson framed the bill as part of a broader movement to “unleash reliable American energy,” arguing that such policies will ease economic pressure on families, protect workers, and safeguard the United States from what he called “radical climate bureaucrats and activists” who, in his view, restricted energy production under President Biden.

The Speaker did not hold back in criticizing the previous administration’s energy agenda, calling Biden’s restrictions on LNG exports “one of his most damaging policy decisions.” According to Johnson, the ban undermined American producers, alienated key U.S. allies, and hampered long-term investments in domestic infrastructure. He described the new bill as a mechanism to guarantee that such a ban can never be implemented again. By restructuring the approval process for LNG export projects, Johnson argued that the legislation helps “depoliticize” regulatory decisions and protect the nation’s energy sector from bureaucratic bias. He also highlighted that the bill codifies several of former President Trump’s executive orders and strengthens the Republican plan for “energy dominance,” which includes expanding the nation’s export capabilities and ensuring that the United States continues to be competitive in the international energy marketplace.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie added his support, emphasizing the bill’s potential to reinforce the broader U.S. energy grid and lower consumer prices. Guthrie argued that the legislation ensures American refineries and LNG developers can operate at full capacity without facing unpredictable political obstacles. He connected the act to the REFINER Act, legislation aimed at improving refinery efficiency and expanding domestic production of oil, gas, and essential chemical feedstocks. Guthrie insisted that the Biden-Harris administration had misused regulatory authority to obstruct LNG exports, thus justifying Republican efforts to impose clear, lasting legislative safeguards. Congressman August Pfluger, sponsor of the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, characterized the vote as “another major victory” in securing America’s long-term energy strength. He argued that exporting LNG strengthens the national economy, attracts critical infrastructure investments, stabilizes consumer prices, and provides dependable fuel supplies to U.S. allies abroad. Pfluger urged the Senate to move quickly under Senator Rick Scott’s leadership to finalize the bill and deliver it to President Trump.

Following the bill’s passage, Johnson’s office released a background sheet outlining what it described as essential “quick facts.” It stated that during the four years of President Biden’s administration, no new LNG export authorizations were issued due to what Republicans assert was a politically driven export ban motivated by climate activism. In contrast, since President Trump returned to office in 2025, at least three final LNG export authorizations have reportedly been granted, and developers have reached final investment decisions on six major LNG export projects totaling more than $70 billion. The fact sheet also summarized the structural reforms embedded in H.R. 1949, which shifts the responsibility for LNG export approvals solely to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under the bill, the Department of Energy would no longer have authority to grant or deny export permits, a change Republicans argue will streamline the process and prevent future political interference. This restructuring, Johnson’s office said, represents a permanent correction to what the Speaker’s team characterized as a “broken and weaponized” system under Biden.

Beyond energy policy, Johnson also announced that the House will hold hearings to examine rising violence against law enforcement nationwide—a topic that has gained renewed urgency following several high-profile attacks. The decision comes days after two National Guard members assigned to President Trump’s anti-crime initiative in Washington, D.C., were shot near the White House. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom later died from her injuries, while Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, a 24-year-old U.S. Air Force member, remains in serious condition but is reportedly showing encouraging signs of recovery. These incidents, combined with earlier violence—including a fatal shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the Dallas area—have intensified debate over public safety and the role of federal personnel in crime response efforts. According to FBI data, assaults on law enforcement reached a decade high in 2023, surpassing 79,000 reported attacks nationwide. Republicans argue this trend underscores the need for robust law enforcement support, while many Democrats have criticized the Trump administration’s reliance on federal agents and Guard troops for domestic policing.

The hearings also come as the Trump administration adopts more aggressive measures to curb both legal and illegal immigration in response to last month’s deadly attack on National Guard troops by an Afghan national who entered the country during the Biden administration. The incident has fueled renewed criticism from Republicans about what they describe as lax vetting and lenient immigration policies under Biden. Trump officials have pledged to overhaul the system, intensifying enforcement at the border and tightening restrictions on individuals seeking entry through humanitarian, refugee, or parole programs. These developments mirror the administration’s broader approach to national security, public safety, and energy independence—issues that Republicans argue were mishandled during Biden’s tenure. As Congress moves forward with both the energy legislation and upcoming hearings, GOP leaders say they are prioritizing policies aimed at strengthening America’s economic and security foundation. The combination of sweeping energy reforms, public safety concerns, and heightened immigration enforcement signals a legislative agenda focused on restoring security, reducing political intervention in critical industries, and addressing the consequences of past policy decisions.