• The House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, known as the SPEED Act, last Thursday.
  • Introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas and supported by Representative Jared Golden of Maine, the bill passed with a vote of 221-196.
  • Eleven Democrats joined Republican lawmakers to approve the legislation, which aims to significantly curtail the scope of the federal environmental review process.
  • The bill faced opposition from environmentalists and many Democrats who argued against its sweeping changes to bedrock environmental laws.

Quick Summary

The House of Representatives passed the SPEED Act last Thursday in a move to overhaul federal environmental reviews. The bill, formally known as the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act, passed by a vote of 221-196.

Despite the passage, the bill faced significant hurdles leading up to the vote. Last-minute changes caused clean energy groups and moderate Democrats to pull their support. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain due to a mix of critics and proponents on both sides of the aisle.

House Vote and Bipartisan Support

The House of Representatives cleared the way for a massive overhaul of the federal environmental review process. The vote took place last Thursday, marking a significant step for the legislation.

The bill passed with a vote of 221-196. In a display of bipartisan support, 11 Democrats joined Republican lawmakers to back the reform effort.

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). It was also backed by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), helping to secure its passage in the House.

Controversy and Opposition

The SPEED Act overcame significant opposition to pass the House. Environmentalists and many Democrats opposed the bill’s sweeping changes to what is described as a bedrock environmental law.

Despite the bipartisan vote, support eroded as the bill moved toward the floor. Last-minute changes led clean energy groups and moderate Democrats to withdraw their backing for the legislation.

The core of the opposition lies in the bill's impact on the environment. The bill would significantly curtail the scope of the federal environmental review process.

Future in the Senate

Following the House vote, the SPEED Act now heads to the Senate. The legislative path forward is not guaranteed.

The bill faces a complex political landscape in the upper chamber. It has both critics and proponents on both sides of the aisle, making its final prospects uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SPEED Act?

The SPEED Act stands for the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act. It is a bill designed to overhaul the federal environmental review process.

Who introduced the bill?

The bill was introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas.

What is the current status of the bill?

The bill passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate for consideration.