House advances Gosar amendment for H.R. 22 to streamline federal permitting

The House recently advanced an amendment, drafted by U.S. Rep. Paul A. Gosar (R-AZ), that will streamline the permitting process for Critical Infrastructure and Economic Development Projects.

“Despite not being a primary reviewing or permitting agency, intentional actions from the [Environmental Protection Agency] EPA continue to impose unnecessary permitting delays and kill jobs through the country,” Gosar said. “Our communities can’t afford to have critical infrastructure projects sabotaged by an agency that does not share the same values and priorities as the American people.”

The House also attached the amendment to the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for Economy Act (DRIVE) Act, or H.R. 22. The bill would remove the EPA’s vote on the Federal Permitting Improvement Council, amongst other measures to lessen the agency’s influence on the federal permitting process.

“Fortunately, my colleagues in the House agreed and I was pleased to see unanimous support for my amendment that will assist with the creation of thousands of jobs across the country if enacted into law,” Gosar said. “Today was a win for common sense and put the EPA on notice that Congress and the people of this great nation will fight back against the agency’s continued overreach.”