White House Opposes Bill to End Pause on Pending LNG Export Permits

The Biden administration “strongly opposes” a House bill designed to counter its recent pause in pending decisions on liquefied natural gas exports, the White House said in a statement on Feb. 13. The statement came the same day the House Rules Committee voted to send the bill to the full House for its consideration.

The administration announced the pause in late January (see 2401260070), saying it wants to review criteria for approving those projects, including the impact on climate change. Republican lawmakers criticized the moratorium, saying it will hurt the U.S. economy and undercut efforts to reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian energy products (see 2402070082).

The House bill, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, would eliminate a requirement that the Energy Department authorize those exports, leaving the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the sole authority for the approval process. Bill proponents say this change would depoliticize the process. A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate (see 2402050068).

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Feb. 13 that he sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking whether lawmakers could overturn the pause by passing a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Unlike a regular bill, a resolution wouldn't need 60 votes in the Senate to limit debate.