Government

Capito Calls on Democrats to

Pass Permitting Reform First

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), today released the below statement calling on Senate Democrats to release and enact strong permitting legislation before proceeding forward with their reckless tax-and-spending spree.

“Our country is officially in a recession, inflation is soaring, and Americans are paying higher prices for many things they can’t do without. Despite all of this, Democrats are choosing to pour more fuel on the fire by reviving their reckless tax-and-spending spree. My Democrat colleagues have said one of the virtues of their legislation is something that isn’t even in it: permitting reform. They have said that part of their deal is a promise for legislation later on easing the permitting process for drilling and energy programs. “If Democrats have agreed to pass strong permitting reform, then they should release exact legislative text—not a framework—for consideration and enactment before the Senate considers their partisan reckless tax-and-spending spree bill. Otherwise, I—and my fellow West Virginians—would not be comfortable trusting Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Joe Biden to follow through on a plan that would expand drilling, build pipelines, protect coal jobs, or decrease regulations.

 “Republicans have stood strong in advocating for permitting reform for years. Instead of this partisan exercise that the Democrats are pursuing, we should be working together toward a bipartisan compromise to enhance energy production in this country.”