GOP-led House passes bill aimed at combating Biden's 'war on American energy'

The GOP-led House passed the Lower Energy Costs Act, which GOP leaders have said is aimed at combating President Biden's "war on American energy" by nixing required presidential permits  for certain energy projects, among other policy changes.

The legislation was introduced by House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), a member of the Natural Resources Committee. The bill passed 225-204 with four Democrats voting with the Republicans and one Republican voting against it.

The legislation focuses on lowering energy costs by "increasing American energy production, exports, infrastructure, and critical minerals processing, by promoting transparency, accountability, permitting, and production of American resources, and by improving water quality certification and energy projects."

It also includes a provision that formally disapproves of Biden's decision to axe the Keystone XL Pipeline project via executive order, which took place at the beginning of his term.

Under the bill, "no presidential permit (or similar permit) shall be required pursuant to any provision of law or Executive order for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance of an oil or natural gas pipeline or electric transmission facility, or any border-crossing facility thereof."

When the bill was introduced in mid-March, Scalise said that "voters gave Republicans the majority in Congress to stop this radical anti-American energy agenda, and to take action that will lower prices."

The bill faces an uphill battle in the Democratic-led Senate, and the White House has threatened to veto it.