ICYMI: In First Natural Resources Hearing, Congresswoman Lee Calls for Focused Bipartisan Approach on Permitting Reform

See more coverage of the hearing from E&E News
Watch and Download Rep. Lee's Full Questioning Here

WASHINGTON – In this week's House Natural Resources Committee hearing, marking her very first after a new appointment as Nevada's only Representative on the committee, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) argued that Republican energy permitting reform legislation fails to meet the dire moment of a climate in crisis and a clean energy transition in need of rapid acceleration.

During the hearing, Congresswoman Lee highlighted the demonstrated interest on both sides of the aisle in passing commonsense permitting reform and called on Congress to put people before politics to find an approach that has a chance of bringing Republicans and Democrats together to reach the President's desk.

"If we've learned one thing about permitting reform over the last year, it is that there is bicameral and bipartisan interest in getting it done," said Congresswoman Lee. "Unfortunately, the BUILDER Act is not it. Permitting reform is too important, too necessary, and too urgent for this committee and this Congress to spend time on partisan bills and one-sided legislative packages that will go nowhere. For the sake of the taxpayers who sent us here, let's cut the politicking, let's cut the posturing, and let's get to work on finding an approach that will allow us to get the permitting reform done to the benefit of the American people and a climate in crisis."

Congresswoman Lee also took a moment to celebrate her recent appointment to this committee and mark her priorities, as Nevada's only Representative on the House Natural Resources Committee.

"It's an honor to be serving with all of you and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this critical committee during the 118th," said Congresswoman Lee. "I'm so proud to be the voice of Nevada on this committee – a voice for public lands, conservation, responsible energy development, and continued timely action to combat the megadrought in the Southwest. And as you know, no state south of Alaska has more public lands than Nevada – and our public lands belong in public hands and depend on a Congress that will preserve and protect them. As the West faces the worst climate crisis with the most severe drought in 12 centuries, I hope to continue this fight for smart water policy and urgent solutions."

You can watch and download a recording of Congresswoman Lee's questioning here.

###