Goodlatte and Marino Praise House Passage of the RAPID Act to Expedite Federal Permit Approval

Washington, D.C.— The House of Representatives today passed the Responsibly And Professionally Invigorating Development (RAPID) Act of 2015 (H.R. 348) by a vote of 233-170. This bill, sponsored by Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee Chairman Tom Marino (R-Pa.), streamlines the review process for federally-funded and federally-permitted infrastructure, energy and other construction projects and delivers faster approvals. The RAPID Act recognizes that delay and uncertainty in the process for new construction and infrastructure projects undermines job creation and economic growth for hardworking Americans. The House of Representatives also passed the RAPID Act during the 112^th and 113^th Congresses. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee Chairman Tom Marino praised today’s House vote: Chairman Goodlatte: “Our country’s burdensome and time-consuming regulatory process only adds to the American people’s frustration with the federal government. Bureaucratic red tape slows the permit approval process for infrastructure investment, and continues to be a barrier for many Americans who look to jobs on approved projects for stable employment. “The RAPID Act will bring accountability and expediency to the permit approval process by setting hard deadlines, instituting oversight on those who control the process, and cracking down on costly and time-consuming lawsuits. “This legislation will open a welcome door for the American people who are looking for work in challenging economic times. The RAPID Act is a concrete mechanism that will act as a job creator for Americans across the country, to the effect of 1.9 million jobs annually during construction of approved projects and hundreds of thousands of jobs every year following the completion of the projects. “I wish to thank my colleagues for once again passing the RAPID Act, and urge the Senate to take up this important legislation in order to grow our economy and put Americans to work.” Subcommittee Chairman Marino: “Millions of Americans are still out of work. Hundreds of critical infrastructure projects await approval. Yet, as I have said before, the primary reason for this is because the federal government strangles our economy with needless red tape and duplicative regulations. “However, there is a simple and reasonable solution, the RAPID Act. It will streamline the federal approval process, increase certainty within the markets and create jobs. Passage of the RAPID Act will bring America one step closer to the leaner, more efficient and prosperous country we deserve.”