House Passes Bill To Speed Federal Permitting For Natural Gas Pipelines
The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday to advance legislation aimed at cutting through federal red tape that has long stalled the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines, a move supporters say is essential to strengthening America’s energy infrastructure and lowering costs for families.
Lawmakers approved the measure by a 213–184 vote, clearing the way for reforms that would streamline the federal permitting process for pipeline projects. The bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for reviewing pipeline permits, consolidating authority that critics argue has been fragmented and inefficient for years.
Under the legislation, FERC would be permitted to evaluate water quality considerations as part of its environmental review, rather than being forced to wait on separate Clean Water Act certifications issued by individual states, a process supporters say has repeatedly been used to delay or block critical energy projects.
The bill, titled the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, is one of several efforts in Congress to accelerate federal permitting and reduce bureaucratic barriers to infrastructure development. Another proposal, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act, also passed the House with bipartisan backing.
Republican lawmakers have made permitting reform a central priority as the nation faces rising electricity demand, driven in part by the rapid expansion of data centers and other energy-intensive technologies. Supporters argue that faster approvals for energy projects will not only enhance national energy security but also help reduce household energy costs by increasing supply.
FERC, which traditionally consists of five commissioners nominated by presidents and confirmed by the Senate, has approved the majority of natural gas pipeline proposals brought before it in recent years. Still, critics say state-level interventions and overlapping federal reviews have slowed progress and discouraged investment.
While the House advances targeted reforms, the Senate is pursuing a broader overhaul of energy permitting rules, setting the stage for further debate in the weeks ahead.
These developments come as Congress works to avert another government shutdown, with the current funding deadline set for January 30 following the end of a 43-day shutdown in November—the longest in U.S. history. Lawmakers have introduced a new spending package totaling at least $174 billion, which could come up for a House vote as soon as this week.
The newly unveiled legislation includes three of the twelve annual appropriations bills Congress is required to pass: commerce, justice, science, and related agencies; energy and water development; and interior, environment, and associated agencies.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., praised the deal, saying, “This bipartisan, bicameral package reflects steady progress toward completing FY26 funding responsibly. It invests in priorities crucial to the American people: making our communities safer, supporting affordable and reliable energy, and responsibly managing vital resources.” He added that the bill delivers “critical community projects nationwide, along with investments in water infrastructure, ports, and flood control that protect localities and keep commerce moving.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described the package as a step away from a “bloated omnibus bill” and said it would “spend less than another continuing resolution,” a message aimed at reassuring fiscal conservatives wary of unchecked federal spending.
The largest share of funding is directed toward the Commerce and Justice Departments and their related agencies, with roughly $78 billion allocated for entities including NASA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Prisons.
Energy and water development funding follows closely, with more than $58 billion primarily allocated to the Department of Energy. Notably, the bill significantly boosts funding for nuclear defense and energy production, assigning approximately $25 billion to the National Nuclear Security Administration, much of it dedicated to nuclear weapons programs and stockpile modernization.
The interior and environment portion of the package provides more than $38 billion for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Forest Service, and other related agencies. The legislation also includes just over $3 billion in so-called “Community Project Funding,” commonly referred to as earmarks, for projects requested by individual lawmakers.
Although the last shutdown originated in the Senate, signs suggest Democrats may be more willing to cooperate ahead of the looming deadline. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the holiday recess that Democrats aim to complete the remaining funding bills by January 30 and emphasized the need to “navigate through the process.”
Because the package was negotiated on a bipartisan, bicameral basis, Senate Democrats are widely expected to support it. If approved by both chambers, Congress will have completed work on six of its twelve appropriations bills. Any future shutdown would affect only those agencies and offices that remain unfunded at the time it begins.