WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1949 · 119th Congress

Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025

Passed HouseEnergy
IntroducedMar 6, 2025
Passed HouseNov 20, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Dec 8, 2025: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 286. The House passed it 217–188. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1949 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as placed on the Senate calendar (Dec 8, 2025).

15 U.S.C. 717b Exportation or importation of natural gas; LNG terminals

What the words would change: every change, in place (5)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 15 U.S.C. 717bremovedby H.R. 1949 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by striking subsections (a) through (c);

  2. 15 U.S.C. 717brenumberedby H.R. 1949 Sec. 2(2)

    The bill says: by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (a) and (b), respectively;

  3. 15 U.S.C. 717brenumberedby H.R. 1949 Sec. 2(3)

    The bill says: by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and moving such subsection after subsection (b), as so redesignated;

  4. 15 U.S.C. 717b(a)rewrittenby H.R. 1949 Sec. 2(4)

    The bill says: in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

  5. 15 U.S.C. 717badded (d)by H.R. 1949 Sec. 2(5)

    (d)(1) Nothing in this Act limits the authority of the President under the Constitution, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), part B of title II of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6271 et seq.), the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.), or any other provision of law that imposes sanctions on a foreign person or foreign government (including any provision of law that prohibits or restricts United States persons from engaging in a transaction with a sanctioned person or government), including a country that is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, to prohibit imports or exports.(2) In this subsection, the term state sponsor of terrorism means a country the government of which the Secretary of State determines has repeatedly provided support for international terrorism pursuant to—(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A) of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4318(c)(1)(A));(B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371);(C) section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780); or(D) any other provision of law.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following new subsection:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Mar 6, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Nov 20, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 188 (Roll no. 304). (text: CR H4841) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  2. Sep 11, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-269.Library of Congress
  3. Mar 6, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 26 recorded actions

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Nov 20, 2025 · HousePassed 217–188
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 206 yes, 0 noD 11 yes, 188 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Mark Alford R-MO-4
  • Jodey C. Arrington R-TX-19
  • Brian Babin R-TX-36
  • Don Bacon R-NE-2
  • Troy Balderson R-OH-12
  • Tom Barrett R-MI-7
  • Michael Baumgartner R-WA-5
  • Aaron Bean R-FL-4
  • Stephanie I. Bice R-OK-5
  • Gus M. Bilirakis R-FL-12
  • Lauren Boebert R-CO-4
  • John R. Carter R-TX-31
Show 31 more cosponsors
  • Andrew S. Clyde R-GA-9
  • Dan Crenshaw R-TX-2
  • Neal P. Dunn R-FL-2
  • Jake Ellzey R-TX-6
  • Gabe Evans R-CO-8
  • Craig A. Goldman R-TX-12
  • H. Morgan Griffith R-VA-9
  • Harriet M. Hageman R-WY-At Large
  • Clay Higgins R-LA-3
  • Richard Hudson R-NC-9
  • John Joyce R-PA-13
  • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
  • Laurel M. Lee R-FL-15
  • Julia Letlow R-LA-5
  • Morgan Luttrell R-TX-8
  • Tracey Mann R-KS-1
  • Addison P. McDowell R-NC-6
  • Daniel Meuser R-PA-9
  • Carol D. Miller R-WV-1
  • Tim Moore R-NC-14
  • Dan Newhouse R-WA-4
  • Robert F. Onder, Jr. R-MO-3
  • Gary J. Palmer R-AL-6
  • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
  • Pete Sessions R-TX-17
  • Jefferson Shreve R-IN-6
  • Victoria Spartz R-IN-5
  • Glenn Thompson R-PA-15
  • Randy K. Weber, Sr. R-TX-14
  • Roger Williams R-TX-25
  • Joe Wilson R-SC-2