Press Releases

Washington, DC—March 20, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted to support H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Energy Production Act. He is an original cosponsor of the measure, which prevents any president from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracturing and expresses a sense of Congress that states should oversee the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on state and private lands, not the federal government.

Congressman Womack said, “Hydraulic fracturing postures America as an energy production leader, lowers costs for families, and grows our economy. Yet President Biden has said he wants to ban it. We must utilize these abundant resources under our own feet, not turn to foreign adversaries for energy needs. This bill protects American energy production—a critical component of our economic prosperity and national security.”

Bill background:

• Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has had a transformative impact on the U.S. economy, positioning the U.S. as the world's leading producer of natural gas and oil.
• The Obama Administration attempted to regulate hydraulic fracturing in a proposed rulemaking in 2015 before the courts threw out the action.
• On the campaign trail, then-candidate Biden said he would ban the practice in a primary debate.
• The Protecting American Energy Production Act prevents any president from unilaterally banning the practice of fracking.
• It expresses a sense of Congress that fracking should be regulated by states on state and private land.