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Congress·Reported·2 months ago

House Committee Advances SPEED Act to Fast-Track Federal Permitting Reviews

Also known as: SPEED Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ House

221–196

Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • Says the environmental review law is mainly about process, not guaranteeing any specific environmental result.
  • Lets federal agencies rely more on reviews done under other federal laws, or by states and tribes, instead of starting from scratch.
  • Sets tighter timelines for permit reviews, like 60 days to say if an application is complete and 30 days to issue a final decision after the review.
  • Limits what impacts agencies must study to effects closely tied to the project, and says agencies don’t have to wait for new studies that appear later.
  • Makes it harder and faster to sue over environmental reviews: shorter filing window, stricter rules on who can sue, and courts usually send fixes back without stopping projects.
Energy EnvironmentInfrastructure TransportationEconomy Finance

Milestones

5 milestones38 actions
Dec 18, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Dec 18, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Dec 18, 2025House

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6037-6040)

Dec 18, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356).

Dec 18, 2025House

On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 211 (Roll no. 355).

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

If the Senate passes and the bill is signed into law, new permitting deadlines and review procedures take effect

Federal agencies would need to respond to permit applications within 60 days, complete environmental reviews on tighter schedules, and limit their analysis to direct project effects. Projects already in the pipeline could move faster.

Courts begin applying new judicial review limits to NEPA lawsuits

People and groups challenging federal permits would face a 150-day filing deadline, stricter standing requirements, and courts would generally let projects continue even during legal disputes. Existing court orders would get a 180-day deadline for agencies to fix problems.

Vote Results

5 votes
HouseFailedAmendmentDec 18, 2025

On Agreeing to the Amendment

An amendment to elect officers of the House.

205
220
Democrat
2 – 209 · 5
Republican
203 – 11 · 9
View full roll call
HouseFailedAmendmentDec 18, 2025

On Agreeing to the Amendment

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 119-1 to strike carbon sequestration and ecosystem services prioritization from section 301 biochar demonstration projects.

208
214
Democrat
1 – 209 · 6
Republican
207 – 5 · 10
View full roll call
HouseFailedAmendmentDec 18, 2025

On Agreeing to the Amendment

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 119-1 to allow the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without requiring a timber sale, easing a serious threat that has in the past been a major cause of destructive wildfires.

204
217
Democrat
1 – 209 · 6
Republican
203 – 8 · 11
View full roll call
HouseFailedAmendmentDec 18, 2025

On Motion to Recommit

206
211
Democrat
206 – 1 · 6
Republican
0 – 210 · 10
View full roll call
HousePassedPassageDec 18, 2025

On Passage

221
196
Democrat
11 – 195 · 7
Republican
210 – 1 · 9
View full roll call

Related News

8 articles
Associated Press·2 months ago

House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects

The House passed the SPEED Act (221-196) to accelerate NEPA permitting, broaden exemptions, and narrow judicial challenges; critics say it weakens environmental safeguards and public input.

C~
The Washington Post·2 months ago

House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects

Coverage of House passage of the SPEED Act: statutory deadlines, more exclusions from review, and tighter limits on who can sue and what remedies courts can order.

CL~
MRT (syndicated business coverage)·2 months ago

House passes SPEED Act to speed permits, limit court challenges

Reports House passage of H.R. 4776 to accelerate NEPA reviews and limit judicial review; includes industry support and opposition from environmental/community groups.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

SPEED Act

Bill NumberHR 4776
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 344.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(14)
D: 7R: 7

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.