Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Cut EPA Red Tape and Speed Up American Infrastructure

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted in favor of H.R. 6398, the Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act, legislation to eliminate a redundant layer of EPA review that has slowed federal construction projects and major infrastructure decisions for decades.

"Every day that a project sits in regulatory limbo is a day American workers aren't working, American businesses aren't growing, and American infrastructure isn't getting built," said Congressman Harrigan. "This bill removes a duplicative EPA review that serves no purpose other than to delay. Federal agencies already conduct thorough environmental reviews under NEPA, and the Supreme Court confirmed they are fully equipped to do so. Having the EPA pile on with a second review of the same ground is wasteful, redundant, and it costs us time we don't have."

The RED Tape Act amends Section 309 of the Clean Air Act to eliminate the requirement for EPA to conduct a secondary review of environmental impact statements already completed by the responsible federal agency under NEPA. In May 2025, the Supreme Court's decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County affirmed that action agencies have broad latitude and expertise in conducting their own environmental reviews, making EPA's duplicative role under Section 309 unnecessary. The legislation streamlines the permitting process without weakening environmental protections already required by law.

Congressman Harrigan is urging the Senate to take up the legislation and deliver on the promise of cutting red tape, reducing bureaucratic delays, and getting American infrastructure projects moving.