Senior Republicans Push Permitting Reform
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When lawmakers return to Washington after the August recess, senior Republicans plan to continue to push an agenda that reflects the Trump administration’s climate and environmental permitting policy directives.
Among her final acts before the congressional summer break, detailed her platform specific to permitting processes. As chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works panel on highway policy, she is central to next year’s approval of a multiyear surface transportation bill.
“The fact of the matter is, each one of us in this chamber has a critical need in our state that could be addressed by improving our permitting and environmental processes,” the chairwoman said July 30. “Like building more housing; we always hear about a housing shortage.”
She also cited energy projects and surface transportation upgrades that have been hindered by the permitting process.
“No matter what our constituents need, we all know that permitting reform is needed to deliver projects more quickly and more efficiently,” Capito said.
There is an opportunity right here in front of us for comprehensive, meaningful, and bipartisan reform to our nation’s environmental review and permitting process. — Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito)
Her committee intends to commence debate on a comprehensive highway measure as early as this fall. Congress has a fall of 2026 deadline for updating the nation’s highway programs and projects. The next highway bill is likely to reflect her policy positions about permitting rules and regulations, which would mirror the Trump administration’s efforts.
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Capito was among senior Republicans supportive of the administration’s recent action on greenhouse gas emissions and electric vehicles. Last month, the proposed rescinding the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which has served as guidance for climate and electric vehicle policies. If finalized, the proposal would repeal certain greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines, the agency explained.
Per remarks EPA provided Aug. 1, Capito said, “I applaud EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for leading this effort to end damaging and illegal regulations like the attempted [electric vehicle] mandate. The has been weaponized by Democrat administrations for years, and this action takes initiative to prevent regulations that limit affordability, energy security and consumer choice across our country.”
Fellow Senate Republicans also touted EPA’s recent move.
'Weaponizing Environmental Policy'
“The era of weaponizing environmental policy against American workers is over. President [Donald] Trump and Administrator Zeldin chose prosperity and common sense over the climate cult’s radical agenda,” said Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
“The Trump EPA, led by administrator Zeldin, is taking a sledgehammer to Obama-era regulations. Love to see it,” added Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.). They both have seats on transportation committees.
Common sense has been restored! By eliminating the unworkable EV truck mandate, President Trump and put the trucking industry back on track to continue to reduce emissions without jeopardizing our ability to deliver the nation’s freight.
👉 Read more:… — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)
On the House side, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), observed, “During the Obama-Biden and Biden-Harris administrations, one-size-fits-all regulations were weaponized to create an EV mandate that limited consumer choice and increased costs for American businesses and consumers. … No country has reduced its emissions more than the United States over the course of the 21st century. That accomplishment came from innovation and investments, not federal mandates.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, added: “The 2009 Endangerment Finding twisted the law to give unelected bureaucrats the power to dictate lifestyles, driving up costs and force working Americans into electric vehicles they don’t want and can’t afford. This repeal puts the brakes on that nonsense and gets us back to real-world thinking.”
Trucking Industry Weighs In
An array of industry stakeholders praised EPA’s proposal.
American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear affirmed, “This electric truck mandate put the trucking industry on a path to economic ruin and would have crippled our supply chain, disrupted deliveries and raised prices for American families and businesses. Moreover, it kicked innovation to the curb by discarding available technologies that can further drive down emissions at a fraction of the cost.
“For four decades, our industry has proven that we are committed to reducing emissions. The trucking industry supports cleaner, more efficient technologies, but we need policies rooted in real-world conditions.”Clean Freight Coalition Executive Director noted, “The [Clean Freight Coalition] members have consistently opposed this unattainable rule as it would cause tremendous harm to the trucking industry, jeopardize the supply chain and result in higher prices for goods across our country. We are grateful that the administration has charted the path to course correct the actions of the previous administration. The CFC supports all feasible and sustainable technologies that effectively reduce trucking emissions.”
Democrats DissentĚý
Most Democrats, meanwhile, criticized EPA’s announcement.
, EPW committee’s ranking member, said, “The vehicle emissions rollbacks will unleash unchecked greenhouse gas pollution and leave us dangerously unprepared for the deadlier storms, disappearing coastlines and more intense heat from unmitigated climate change.
“EPA had a chance to save 40,000 lives and help families save more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs, but Trump chose his fossil fuel megadonors over the American people.”
EVs are quieter, simpler, less expensive to run, and more fun to drive than equivalent combustion cars. They’re where world auto markets are going, so why handicap US auto companies competing in those markets? All to pay off fossil fuel donors. — Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse)
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