US House advances bill around water permits; environmental groups say it guts water protections

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 12, 2025

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass a bill that Republicans say would reform the Clean Water Act and cut through regulatory burdens. Democrats and environmental groups said the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act protects water polluters and removes clean water protections. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, who cosponsored the bill, said it would implement reforms that would stop the act from “being weaponized” to stop infrastructure projects like a pipeline. Democrats on the floor argued the bill would lead to more water pollution, higher water utility bills and decreased ability for a state to control the pollution within its boundaries.