Congressman Pat Harrigan of North Carolina’s 10th District voted on Apr. 16 in favor of H.R. 6398, the Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act. The legislation aims to remove a layer of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review that has been required for federal construction projects and major infrastructure decisions.
The bill is intended to speed up the approval process for these projects by eliminating what supporters say is unnecessary duplication in environmental reviews. Harrigan said, “Every day that a project sits in regulatory limbo is a day American workers aren’t working, American businesses aren’t growing, and American infrastructure isn’t getting built.” He added, “This bill removes a duplicative EPA review that serves no purpose other than to delay. Federal agencies already conduct thorough environmental reviews under NEPA, and the Supreme Court confirmed they are fully equipped to do so. Having the EPA pile on with a second review of the same ground is wasteful, redundant, and it costs us time we don’t have.”
The proposed RED Tape Act would amend Section 309 of the Clean Air Act by removing the requirement for an additional EPA assessment after an agency has completed its own environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). According to Harrigan’s office, this change follows a May 2025 Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County that affirmed federal agencies’ authority and expertise in conducting their own reviews.
Supporters say this legislative change will streamline permitting without weakening existing environmental protections mandated by law.
Harrigan called on senators to advance the measure: “Congressman Harrigan is urging the Senate to take up the legislation and deliver on the promise of cutting red tape, reducing bureaucratic delays, and getting American infrastructure projects moving.”
In related background information about Congressman Harrigan’s recent political career: In 2024, he defeated Ralph R. Scott Jr., winning with approximately 57 percent of votes according to Ballotpedia.
