December 8, 2025
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National Taxpayers Union urges all representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act authored by Rep. Collins (R-GA). This legislation is a necessary, common sense reform to the permitting framework under the Clean Water Act (CWA), one that balances the need for environmental protection with the practical demands of modern infrastructure development.
Federal permitting delays have become one of the most significant roadblocks to building housing, infrastructure, and critical energy projects. Investments that should take months to approve routinely stretch into years because of the suffocating amount of red tape that businesses have to navigate through at both the federal and state levels. This uncertainty creates hesitancy for businesses to commit capital when they can’t predict whether a project will ever receive a green light, particularly in the traditional energy infrastructure sector.
While much of the permitting reform debate focuses on the National Environmental Policy Act, there are numerous other laws in need of reform. Thankfully, the PERMIT Act makes generational reforms to the CWA in a way that encourages responsible development while still protecting our environment. It will provide necessary clarity to permit seekers navigating the CWA.
Specifically, the bill would limit state authority to block projects like interstate pipelines, restrict politically motivated vetoes to Army Corps of Engineers decisions, and address what defines navigable waters. Perhaps the most important provisions limit the timeline for CWA lawsuits, which have become one of the most utilized tools by environmentalists to stop energy projects. This “delay-to-die” strategy is used to obstruct energy projects long before they ever break ground. These lawsuits are not about improving environmental outcomes or ensuring compliance with federal law, but are filed simply to stall projects until they become financially impossible to build.
The PERMIT Act would represent a strong first step toward modernizing the entire permitting process. Regulatory barriers aren’t just a bureaucratic headache for businesses, but are a hidden tax on economic growth and energy security. Streamlining the process—without sacrificing environmental safeguards—is essential for accelerating development, lowering costs, and keeping energy abundant in the years ahead.
Roll call votes on this legislation will be included in NTU’s annual rating of Congress and “YES” votes will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU’s Senior Director of Government Affairs Thomas Aiello at Taiello@ntu.org
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