Andrew Clyde (R-GA)· Dec 18, 2025
H.Amdt. 138: Amendment sought to clarify that direct harm does not include emotional, aesthetic, or recreational harm unaccompanied by a material physical or property harm.
Failed
205220
A Republican bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 14 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
The SPEED Act aims to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to create a more efficient and timely environmental review process. It clarifies that the Act is a procedural statute that does not mandate specific environmental outcomes. The bill introduces new rules regarding the scope of environmental reviews, limiting them to immediate and proximate effects. It also establishes specific deadlines for agency actions and sets new standards for judicial review. Additionally, the Act limits how and when federal agencies can revoke or change authorizations.
Would business owners be better off under this?
The act provides significant regulatory certainty and timely deadlines for project applicants.
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill specifically addresses efficiency in farm ownership loans and operating loan guarantees.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill streamlines the environmental review process by setting strict agency deadlines and providing more certainty for applicants.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill narrows the scope of environmental reviews to only proximate effects and limits judicial oversight of agency actions.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill limits judicial review for actions affecting tribal trust resources and narrows the scope of environmental considerations for those resources.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill limits the ability of the public to challenge agency actions through stricter statute of limitations and judicial review standards.
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
12/18/2025 · Roll call 356 · recorded as “On Passage”
12/18/2025 · Roll call 355 · recorded as “On Motion to Recommit”
Increased Efficiency and Timeliness: The bill introduces strict deadlines for agencies to notify applicants of application completeness and to issue final agency actions (Sec. 2(c)(4)).
Certainty for Applicants: Federal agencies are generally prohibited from rescinding or altering environmental documents once completed if there is an applicant, unless ordered by a court or agreed to in writing (Sec. 2(d)(1)).
Protection of Authorizations: Agencies are limited in their ability to revoke or interfere with an existing authorization unless there is a court order, a material breach, or a need to prevent immediate substantial harm (Sec. 2(d)(2)(A)).
Streamlined Processes for Tribes: For certain actions involving tribal trust resources initiated by a Tribe, there is a presumption that not taking action will have negative effects (Sec. 2(e)).
Reliance on Existing Reviews: Lead agencies may rely on previously completed environmental reviews for actions that are substantially the same, which can save time (Sec. 2(d)(1)).
Limited Scope of Environmental Review: Agencies may only consider effects that have a reasonably close causal relationship to the project, excluding those deemed speculative or separate in time or place (Sec. 2(b)(c) and Sec. 2(b)(15)).
Restrictions on Research: Agencies are not required to undertake new scientific or technical research if it is not essential or if it occurs after an application has been received (Sec. 2(b)(4)(3)).
Reduced Judicial Oversight: Courts are directed to afford substantial deference to agencies and may not substitute their own judgment regarding environmental effects (Sec. 3(a)).
Limited Legal Remedies: If a court finds an agency action non-compliant, the required remedy is a remand without vacatur or injunction, meaning the action remains in effect while the agency fixes the errors (Sec. 3(b)).
Barriers to Legal Claims: Legal claims against agency actions are barred unless they are filed within a specific 150-day window and, in some cases, require the party to have submitted a substantive and unique comment during the public comment period (Sec. 3(c)(1)).
Restrictions on Review for Tribal Resources: There is a prohibition on administrative or judicial review for certain agency actions affecting tribal trust resources, except under specific circumstances (Sec. 3(c)(3)).
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
Andrew Clyde (R-GA)· Dec 18, 2025
Failed
205220
Chip Roy (R-TX)· Dec 18, 2025
Failed
208214
Chip Roy (R-TX)· Dec 18, 2025
Failed
204217
Rules Committee · Dec 18, 2025
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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Republican · Alaska
Democrat · California
Democrat · Texas
Democrat · North Carolina
Republican · Colorado
Democrat · Texas
Democrat · Maine
Democrat · Washington
Democrat · California
Republican · Wyoming
Republican · Virginia
Republican · Iowa
Republican · Minnesota