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);

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 717b)

  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;

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 717b)

  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;

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 717b)

  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:

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 717b)

  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:

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 717b)

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. Dec 8, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 286.Senate
  2. Dec 8, 2025Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time. (Legislative Day December 4, 2025).Senate
  3. Dec 2, 2025Received in the Senate.Senate
  4. Nov 20, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  5. Nov 20, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 188 (Roll no. 304). (text: CR H4841) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. 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
  7. Nov 20, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4850-4851)House floor actions
  8. Nov 20, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1949, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  9. Nov 20, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  10. Nov 20, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1949.House floor actions
  11. Nov 20, 2025Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.House floor actions
  12. Nov 20, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 879. (consideration: CR H4841-4849)House floor actions
  13. Nov 17, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 879 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107 and H.R. 5214. The resolution provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 80, H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H. Con. Res. 58, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution also provides for one motion to recommit on H.J. Res. 130, H.J. Res. 131, H.R. 1949, H.R. 3109, H.R. 5107, and H.R. 5214, and one motion to commit S.J. Res. 80.House floor actions
  14. Nov 17, 2025Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-269, Part II.House floor actions
  15. Nov 17, 2025Supplemental report filed by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, H. Rept. 119-269, Part II.Library of Congress
  16. Sep 11, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 225.House floor actions
  17. Sep 11, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-269.House floor actions
  18. Sep 11, 2025Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-269.Library of Congress
  19. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 23.House committee actions
  20. Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  21. Jun 5, 2025Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 13.House committee actions
  22. Jun 5, 2025Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  23. Jun 3, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.House committee actions
  24. Mar 6, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  25. Mar 6, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  26. Mar 6, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Nov 20, 2025 · HousePassed 217–188
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra did not vote, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    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