U.S. Senator Alan Armstrong called on Congress to pass bipartisan permitting reform during a policy forum in Washington this week, arguing the nation’s current permitting process is slowing infrastructure projects and hurting America’s competitiveness.
Speaking to leaders from the energy, manufacturing, technology and infrastructure sectors, Armstrong said the United States needs to make it easier to build projects that support economic growth and national security.
“If we can’t change that culture of making it easier today to block a project than it is to build a project, we have a very serious problem down the road,” Armstrong said. “Congress really has a very narrow window to enact meaningful bipartisan reform right now.”
Armstrong said permitting delays make it more difficult for the United States to attract investment, expand domestic manufacturing and compete globally. He also encouraged industry leaders to continue pressing Congress to approve meaningful reforms.
The forum was hosted by the American Council for Capital Formation.
