Congressman Begich Applauds House Passage of SPEED Act

December 18, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 18, 2025 – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4776, Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act , bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming the federal permitting process and modernizing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Congressman Begich, a proud co-sponsor of the legislation, applauded its passage as a major step toward restoring balance to the regulatory permitting process and improving affordability for American families . “For years, America’s outdated permitting system has acted as a self-imposed handicap – driving up costs and delaying infrastructure projects,” said Congressman Begich. “Projects that should take months are delayed for years, stalling infrastructure, energy development, and critical mineral production. The SPEED Act is a strong step forward in making life more affordable and allowing America to build again by establishing clear timelines for environmental reviews and limiting endless litigation that has too often been used to delay or block responsible development. Importantly, the bill preserves strong environmental protections while ensuring projects can move forward under higher standards here at home. Chairman Westerman’s leadership and the work of the House Natural Resources Committee have been instrumental in advancing a bipartisan solution that restores balance to the permitting process.” As global competition accelerates, regulatory reform remains critical to ensuring American energy dominance, infrastructure development, and long-term economic security. The SPEED Act was intentionally crafted as a bipartisan effort, with equal numbers of Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, reflecting broad agreement that regulatory reform is essential to strengthening the economy and restoring balance to the permitting process. ###