Former U.S. Officials Urge Congress to Pass Energy-Permitting Bill

Former officials from the Trump, Biden, and Obama administrations sent a letter to congressional leaders demanding the immediate passage of a sweeping energy-permitting bill. Signatories, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, argue that the United States is losing a technological and industrial race with China. They claim lengthy delays in building energy infrastructure and transmission lines are hindering the development of artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Jake Sullivan, former National Security Adviser to President Biden, warned that China is not waiting for the U.S. to act and cautioned that failing to pass permitting reform this year would leave American investments in future industries mired in litigation and uncertainty. The proposed legislation seeks to overhaul environmental rules and strengthen the electric grid.

While renewable-energy and oil-and-gas trade groups support the measure, a coalition of 185 labor, community, and environmental justice organizations opposes it. These groups claim the bill would benefit tech billionaires while gutting essential environmental safeguards. The bill's trajectory remains uncertain as some Democratic lawmakers suggest delaying the vote until after the November midterm elections.