Senate Can Do Better Than “Permitting Reform” In Name Only
‘[O]ur colleague Senator Capito has put forward a real, actual, substantive permitting reform bill that would make the commonsense changes our country needs. Senator Capito’s substantive bill stands in stark contrast to what every indication thus far suggests will be weak, reform-in-name-only legislation from her home-state colleague… If our colleagues across the aisle want real permitting reform, Senator Capito’s fantastic bill only needs Senator Manchin plus nine more Democrats...’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding energy:
“Democrats’ runaway inflation includes skyrocketing costs to keep the lights on and to heat or cool homes.
“We’re also witnessing the dangerous vulnerabilities that Democrats in places like California have built into their electrical grids.
“California Democrats have spent years putting ‘green’ lifestyle preferences ahead of the basic needs of working families.
“The result is a grid that’s both more expensive and less reliable. We’ve seen the same California Democrats who’ve spent years pushing their citizens to buy expensive electric cars now begging the public not to plug them in.
“And even as California teeters on the brink of an energy crisis of European proportions, Washington Democrats are pushing the rest of our country in that same risky direction.
“They made their signature priority for this year spending even more of the people’s money… to take us even farther in the wrong direction… even faster!
“Last month, our Democratic colleagues rammed through a gigantic party-line bill that raised taxes on reliable domestic American energy in order to subsidize wealthy people buying luxury electric cars or fancy new appliances.
“Every Democratic Senator cast the deciding vote for that reckless spending spree. That includes the senior Senator for West Virginia, who claims he only did so because the Democratic Leader promised him that Democrats would line up behind permitting reform to make it easier to build things and complete projects in America.
“But now, very predictably, this backroom deal is crumbling before our eyes.
“Almost sixty days after our colleague from West Virginia gave up his vote for this vague promise, it still appears the far left and House Democrats want no part of this backroom deal they didn’t sign onto.
“As for the Republican side, our colleague Senator Capito has put forward a real, actual, substantive permitting reform bill that would make the commonsense changes our country needs.
“Senator Capito’s substantive bill stands in stark contrast to what every indication thus far suggests will be weak, reform-in-name-only legislation from her home-state colleague.
“As luck would have it, Senator Capito’s real plan is also closer to passing the Senate than Senator Manchin’s reform-in-name-only plan. Senator Manchin recently told reporters that his version may need 20 Republican votes to become law. But Senator Capito’s plan only needs Senator Manchin and nine other Democrats to get on board.
“We’re talking about real, substantive reform that is already closer to becoming law.
“But so far, our Democratic colleague from West Virginia has refused to back his colleague’s commonsense proposal. He’s shown little appetite to actually get something done.
“Mr. President, talk is cheap.
“If our colleagues across the aisle want real permitting reform, Senator Capito’s fantastic bill only needs Senator Manchin plus nine more Democrats to clear this chamber.
“Otherwise it would appear the senior Senator from West Virginia traded his vote on a massive liberal boondoggle in exchange for nothing.”
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