In 2005 he became a Parliament member and the head of one of the six committees, his committee was in charge of writing chapter four: Powers of the Federal Authorities in the permanent constitution Constitution of Iraq#Chapter Four: Powers of the Federal Authorities and one of three technocrats to draft Iraq's much debated oil and gas law, which is still waiting to be approved by the parliament. In late April 2006, there was strong speculation that he would again be appointed Minister of Oil, this time by the government of Nuri al-Maliki.
In 2005, he became a member of Parliament and the head of one of six committees. His committee was responsible for drafting Chapter Four: Powers of Federal Authorities in Iraq's constitution, as well as being one of three technocrats working on the country's oil and gas law, which is still awaiting approval by parliament. In late April 2006, there were rumors that he might be appointed Minister of Oil again under Nuri al-Maliki's government.