Senators press for permitting reform as way to lower energy prices

Senate leader said the country should pursue permitting reform to make it "very hard in this country to get energy projects permitted" less so, arguing that speeding approvals for refineries and other projects would make energy "more available and more affordable for the American people." The leader framed permitting reform as a pending priority the caucus was "going to be working on yet this week."

The leader tied permitting reform to broader economic policy, saying it would have "consequences for all the things that we're talking about today," most notably energy prices. He said action would require bipartisan cooperation and indicated senators were awaiting whether Democratic colleagues would accept proposals: "we're going to find out here I think pretty soon whether the Democrats are willing to take yes for an answer on that." No bill number, floor motion, or formal vote on permitting reform appears in the transcript.