WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced the LNG for Allies Act, bipartisan legislation to expedite the licensing approval for exports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to strategic partners and allied countries.

“The United States has the ability to supply the world with secure, reliable energy,” said Congressman Pfluger. “Increasing exports to our partners and allies will strengthen their security, boost our economy, and make America stronger on the world stage. This legislation ensures the federal government will not slow-walk approval for our critical energy exports.”

“Expediting LNG exports to our allies will bring numerous economic, geopolitical, environmental, and national security-related benefits,” said Congressman Cuellar. “The United States has a rich supply of natural gas; facilitating the exportation process will strengthen supply chains with our allies and bolster our economy here at home. I am pleased to join Representative Pfluger on this legislation and I thank him for his leadership.”

The legislation would expedite the LNG export approval process for U.S. allies: Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as strategic partners: Cypress, Finland, Moldova, Sweden, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Additionally, the legislation specifies that applications for expedited LNG exports to any nation that are State Sponsors of Terrorism as designated under Section 1754(c) of the FY19 NDAA, Section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and Section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 will be denied. This currently includes: North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Cuba.