OUR PERSPECTIVES

Lame duck sessions are often associated with uncertainty in Washington. With elections decided and a new Congress preparing to take office, lawmakers frequently face competing political incentives, compressed timelines, and a deadlocked legislative agenda. Generally, that combination often produces short-term extensions and unfinished business pushed into the following Congress. This year, however, the lame duck session could prove more productive than usual. A growing list o

Over the weekend, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released the text of the BUILD America 250 Act, a bipartisan five-year reauthorization proposal that would shape federal transportation policy through 2031. The legislation authorizes roughly $580 billion for highways, bridges, transit, rail, and safety programs while advancing several major policy reforms tied to project delivery, innovation, and Highway Trust Fund solvency. The proposal reflects a shift t

The House, Senate, and White House are all vocally supportive of substantial permitting reform policy. However, the pathway to get there varies drastically in the House and Senate. The House passed the SPEED Act last year, which makes significant changes to NEPA. The PERMIT Act, which also passed last year, amends the Clean Water Act. On top of these comprehensive bills, House leadership is moving forward with piecemeal bills that address everything from changes to FERC and g

Headlines would tell you that Washington, DC is gridlocked with very little moving. However, several recent developments are telling a different story. The Farm Bill, a bill that authorizes all of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and must pass every five years (although it has now been pushed back multiple years), just passed the House with a bipartisan vote. The Senate is likely to release its version soon. Meanwhile, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is