Breaking From DC – House Passes NEW BILL 424-0

Legislation seeking to block international support to the Taliban has been passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives, marking a strategic step in counterterrorism and foreign aid oversight.

The legislation, known as the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, establishes a clear America, while foreign policy positions opposing any form of foreign aid—whether from governments or NGOs—that ends up supporting the Taliban, especially when those entities are recipients of American funding. Concerns were said to have been voiced by Afghans resisting Taliban control, with reports indicating that the majority of financial assistance entering the region may be falling under Taliban control.

A requirement has been set for the Secretary of State to craft a comprehensive strategy within 180 days, aiming to dissuade global entities from providing support to the Taliban. The strategy is also expected to include methods to assist Afghan women and former U.S. military partners, alongside regular reporting to Congress regarding all forms of aid to Afghanistan.

The legislation was approved through a voice vote without any recorded opposition and now awaits action in the Senate. While it received broad support, it also drew criticism over the prior administration’s perceived lack of a clear strategy in Afghanistan, even though no formal objections were raised during the vote.

In a different legislative win, House Republicans also passed the Protecting American Energy Production Act, which would make it illegal for any future administration to stop oil and gas drilling without the consent of Congress. Regulatory steps taken under the Biden administration, especially the broad moratorium that covered more than 600 million acres of U.S. land, were perceived as being rejected by the action.

The bill—passed by a 226–188 vote—enjoyed unanimous Republican support, while the majority of Democrats opposed it. The legislation addresses widespread concerns over attempts to restrict hydraulic fracturing (fracking), a process deemed essential to American energy independence.

It was noted that President Biden’s administration had adopted an aggressive stance against domestic fossil fuel production, prompting accusations of economic harm and regulatory overreach. As a countermeasure, this newly passed bill seeks to safeguard traditional energy production from being undermined by future executive orders.

According to reports, Secretary Doug Burgum’s Department of the Interior has also started reviewing internal policies that are thought to be impeding the expansion of the energy industry. These initiatives have been framed as a component of the previous administration’s larger repeal of climate regulations that specifically targeted fossil fuels.

The timing of these legislative advances coincides with new polling data that indicates growing dissatisfaction among Democrats with their party’s performance. According to a Quinnipiac University survey, only 41% of Democratic respondents expressed approval of their congressional delegation’s effectiveness, while 53% registered disapproval. The overall approval among all voters for Democrats in Congress remained at a low of 21%, matching a record low last seen in 2009.

By contrast, confidence in the Republican-controlled Congress appears to be stronger among GOP voters, with 79% indicating satisfaction with their party’s performance. The overall approval rating among the general public stood at 32% for congressional Republicans.

These developments reflect an ongoing political realignment in Washington, with Republicans gaining momentum on issues ranging from national security to energy policy. At the same time, Democrats face declining support from within their base.

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