SPEED Act passes House
The House has passed the SPEED Act, sponsored by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, with bipartisan support. The bill cleared the chamber by a 221–196 vote, with 11 Democrats joining nearly all Republicans.
Despite its passage, the bill faced notable drama. Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) introduced an amendment that would allow a future Trump administration to block offshore wind developments. That proposal alienated several Democrats who had previously signaled support for permitting reform, narrowing the margin more than expected.
The SPEED Act now moves to the Senate, where it will require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. With Republicans holding 53 seats, the GOP will need at least seven Democratic senators to support the legislation, even if all Republicans vote in favor. This may require additional amendments to secure bipartisan backing.