WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) this week voted in support of H.R. 1949, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025, legislation that restores certainty to America’s energy approval process by removing burdensome restrictions on the export of American liquified natural gas (LNG).

Specifically, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole authority to review LNG export applications, streamlining the approval process for American LNG exports to countries with which the U.S. has a free-trade agreement. 

Under the Biden Administration, states and localities across the country have attempted to restrict or phase out natural gas, driving up utility costs, weakening grid reliability, and threatening the competitiveness of rural communities. The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act ensures that America can fully leverage that strength to bolster energy security at home and abroad.

“I’m proud to support this legislation, which cuts burdensome red tape for our U.S. energy exporters, allowing us to provide our partners and allies around the globe with reliable, American-made energy. Furthermore, it restores much-needed stability and predictability for our domestic energy industry,” said Rep. Finstad. “Thanks to commonsense legislation like the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act and this administration’s commitment to America-First energy, we are making strides to reduce Americans’ energy costs and return the U.S. to global energy dominance.”

Background:

• The Natural Gas Act (NGA) prohibits the export of natural gas from the U.S. to a foreign county or the import of any natural gas from a foreign country, without prior approval from the Department of Energy.
• President Trump’s January 20th Executive Order, “Unleashing American Energy,” begins rolling back costly regulations, expanding domestic production, and reestablishing the United States as the global leader in safe, responsible fossil-fuel development.