WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and dozens of their Republican colleagues in support of the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency (START) Act, comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform legislation.

“I'm pleased to join this effort to achieve permitting reform that is long overdue and will benefit our economy in a number of ways,” Boozman said. “It's especially needed in the face of historically high inflation and uncertainty caused by the Biden administration's policies. I appreciate Senator Capito’s leadership on this critical issue.” 

“Since our calls for action and offers to see legislative text from the permitting ‘deal’ remain unheeded, Republicans are introducing this legislation today to deliver solutions to the roadblocks, delays, and postponements of key infrastructure projects across the country,” Ranking Member Capito said. “The START Act would provide regulatory certainty to states, expedite permitting and review processes, codify substantive environmental regulatory reforms, and expedite permitting of the critically important Mountain Valley Pipeline. Republicans are unified in working to deliver needed permitting reform, and this legislation is a blueprint for how we can help communities benefit from being able to finally get critical projects across the finish line.”

More than one month ago, Ranking Member Capito called on Democrats to release text, work together and enact strong permitting legislation before proceeding forward with their reckless tax-and-spending spree.

After no text was released and no Republican input taken, Boozman voted in favor of Capito’s amendment to the reconciliation bill that would have enacted strong permitting reforms for burdensome regulations currently delaying key energy and infrastructure projects across the country. The amendment failed by a vote of 50-49, with all 50 Senate Democrats voting against it.

In addition to Boozman and Capito, the START Act is cosponsored by 45 other senators including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jim Risch (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Todd Young (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Rob Portman (R-OH) and James Lankford (R-OK).

 

BILL DETAILS:

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

A section by section summary can be found here