The Republican-controlled House passed the “Protecting American Energy Production Act” in a 226–188 vote, delivering another victory for President Donald Trump. The bill blocks any future president from imposing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing without congressional approval. Republicans argue the legislation is necessary to prevent a repeat of former President Joe Biden’s late-term restrictions on oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, who introduced the bill, said it was driven by concerns over Biden-era policies that he claims crippled domestic energy production. The Trump administration has since launched internal reviews to remove what it calls burdensome climate policies and restore aggressive U.S. energy development.
At the same time, new polling shows the Democratic Party facing unexpected challenges on economic issues. CNN’s Harry Enten expressed surprise that, despite months of criticism aimed at Trump’s tariff proposals and warnings of economic instability, Republicans continue to hold a clear advantage. In a recent CNN poll, voters favored Republicans by eight points on economic alignment, mirroring trends seen since late 2023. Enten noted that after stock market volatility and ongoing tariff disputes, Democrats still struggle to convince voters they offer a stronger economic direction.
Additional data from Reuters/Ipsos reinforces this trend. In May 2024, Republicans led by nine points on which party had the better economic plan; by May 2025, that lead had grown to 12 points. Enten said the results highlight significant Democratic weaknesses with middle-class voters, adding that Republicans maintain a decisive edge on the economy—the issue voters prioritize most. This advantage, he noted, keeps the GOP in a strong position regardless of fluctuations in Trump’s personal approval ratings.