Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chairman, listening to our friends on the other side of the aisle reminds me of what one of my favorite Presidents of the United States said, Mr. Reagan. He said: You know, our friends on the other side of the aisle, they know so much that just isn't so.

Mr. Chair, I am proud to support this much-needed effort to modernize our Nation's water permitting system. I thank Chairman Graves, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Collins, and many members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure who have worked to develop this package.

I also appreciate the inclusion of three bills that I authored: The Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, and the Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act.

Each addresses well-documented breakdowns in our Nation's permitting process which delay critical projects, drive up costs, and do nothing to actually improve water quality.

The Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act narrows the scope of the Clean Water Act section 401 certifications to actual water quality impacts and establishes timelines and procedural guardrails of State- level review to prevent misuse and delay.

The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act removes the need for duplicative National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for pesticide use if the pesticide is already EPA approved and used according to label requirements, which will reduce costs without weakening environmental protections.

Finally, the Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act codifies the historic nationwide permit process under section 404, extends permit validity to 10 years, and clarifies jurisdiction over dredge-and-fill discharges, providing predictability for infrastructure and energy developers.

Together, the enactment of all these bills will result in clear rules and predictable timelines that will cut costs and promote economic growth while maintaining environmental protections. That is how you battle inflation.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Babin.

Let's be very clear about this. This amendment builds directly on the critical Clean Water Act section 401 certification reforms that I authored in the underlying bill. These are reforms that refocus the 401 certification process on its original and proper purpose, and that is: protecting water quality.

Unfortunately, in recent years, certain States have abused this process, using it as a tool to block or indefinitely delay infrastructure projects for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with water quality.

Mr. Babin's amendment strengthens judicial review for 401 certifications on major energy infrastructure projects by curbing frivolous lawsuits and, two, ensuring expedited consideration when legitimate challenges are brought.

Mr. Chair, that is all there is to it. It is very simple and straightforward. It is actually exceptionally pro-environment, and I support this amendment.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chairman, although I claim time in the opposition, I do not oppose the amendment. I rise, in fact, in support of the amendment No. 8 offered by my colleague from California (Mr. Peters), as it would allow the United States section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC as they call it, to receive additional funding from other Federal and non-Federal partners to support water and wastewater infrastructure.

This amendment will give the IBWC access to additional funding sources, enabling it to properly maintain these assets and, in turn, support cleaner training waters for our warfighters while strengthening security along our southern border.

This amendment is the same text as H.R. 1948, which was favorably reported out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed the House by voice vote earlier this Congress.

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Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Chair, this is a good amendment. I urge adoption of it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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