Over the past several months, the House Natural Resources Committee has been tirelessly at work to introduce, and ultimately pass, a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation called the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. As this is such a notable bill, it has been a great honor to lead the charge in getting this legislation across the finish line that will cut burdensome federal red tape and get America – and Arkansas – building again.
Christmas came early as the House voted this week to pass this piece of legislation that received letters of support from all fifty states.
A bill for every American across every industry, reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process through the SPEED Act will ultimately reduce unnecessary delays and make it easier for local governments to access the resources they need in order to complete economy-stimulating projects in a timely manner.
You may not realize it but permitting touches all aspects of life, from the ability to complete roadways and bridges that can prevent traffic jams all the way to the ability to lower the cost of your monthly electricity bill. This isn’t just legislation for large, federal industries, it’s a bill for you and every other taxpaying Arkansan.
Passing this bill means improving road conditions for farmers hauling equipment and goods to market. It’s faster completion of bridge repairs and rural road resurfacing projects. Permitting reform means enhanced access to economic opportunity instead of being tied down by delays in permitting that hold back local governments. And it means a more responsive government that can work at the speed our communities need instead of the pace of Washington’s red tape.
The SPEED Act is a commitment to empowering our local leaders, supporting our rural economy, and ensuring that communities across the Fourth District aren’t left waiting for infrastructure that should have been built years ago. It’s been an honor to work on such a vital piece of legislation that will have direct impacts on dinner table issues. I look forward to seeing the SPEED Act move quickly through the Senate so that we can get this bill signed into law.
The holiday season is a special time of year – not only to reflect on the greatest gift we have received through the birth of our Savior, but also the time to reflect on the past year and all we have to be grateful for.
With this year’s temperatures, we certainly have no trouble making this Christmas season warm and inviting. Through holiday festivities and time spent with friends and family, this really is the most wonderful time of the year.
My hope is that, as we celebrate Christmas, we will also remember the brave men and women who aren’t able to be with their own loved ones this year. Whether they are overseas or stationed in a different part of the country, our gratitude will certainly be with them as they serve our nation and protect our freedom.
Merry Christmas to you all – it is the greatest gift to serve the Fourth District of Arkansas in Congress, and it is most certainly not an honor I take lightly. May you all have a very blessed holiday season filled with peace and joy.
