FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 12, 2026

CONTACT:
Chrissy Harbin, Miranda Dabney

Armstrong Builds Senate Momentum for Permitting Reform as 13 New Cosponsors Join his “American Energy & Mineral Infrastructure” Act

ARMSTRONG’S AEMI ACT GAINS SENATE SUPPORT AS PUSH TO FIX AMERICA’S BROKEN PERMITTING PROCESS ENTERS CRITICAL FALL WINDOW

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) is growing momentum behind comprehensive permitting reform, announcing 13 additional Senate cosponsors for S. 4944, the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure (AEMI) Act:  Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David McCormick (R-PA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Jon Husted (R-OH). 

The newly-added cosponsors join original sponsors Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), and James Lankford (R-OK) for a total of 17 cosponsors, expanding a base of Senate support that reaches into Republican leadership and both committees with jurisdiction over permitting reform. 

The growing support comes as the Senate left Washington for the August recess without producing a bipartisan permitting reform package. Negotiators say they are making progress and hope to unveil an agreement in September, but significant issues remain unresolved — including Clean Water Act and National Historic Preservation Act reviews — and the shrinking legislative calendar leaves little time to turn a deal into law. Against that backdrop, Armstrong is working to reinvigorate conversations on permitting reform in the Senate by advancing concrete provisions that find bicameral and bipartisan support.

As power demands skyrocket across the nation — driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, domestic high-tech manufacturing, and industrial expansion — America’s outdated and duplicative permitting framework continues to stall critical projects. The AEMI Act cuts through bureaucratic red tape, provides long-overdue certainty for builders, and prevents project delays that threaten economic growth and national security. 

Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) said, “Our national energy infrastructure is like a bridge: nobody really cares about it until it falls down, and the cracks are starting to show right now. We have a narrow window to act, and we cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by. I am grateful to my 17 Senate colleagues who are co-sponsoring the AEMI Act. Together, we recognize that America cannot afford another year of delay.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said, “Wyoming’s energy industry and infrastructure future depends on our ability to build. For far too long,  environmental extremists have weaponized permitting processes to kill critical projects before they ever break ground. I am proud to partner with Senator Armstrong to streamline reviews and ensure Wyoming’s minerals and energy can reach the market.”

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) said, “Previous generations of Americans built the greatest economic powerhouse the world has ever seen. Nowadays, however, government seems to be doing everything it can to kill the American spirit with needless bureaucracy. While Communist China cuts corners to get ahead, a mountain of red tape has America fighting the energy war with one hand tied behind our backs. This bill slashes red tape and meets 21st century demands to help President Trump restore American energy dominance.”

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) said, “As America continues to lead in industries that require a higher energy demand, like artificial intelligence and manufacturing, it’s critical that we are modernizing our infrastructure to keep up with that demand. This bill creates regulatory certainty for energy and critical mineral projects alike, and it continues to execute on President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy dominance and compete with the People’s Republic of China by slashing burdensome red tape, ensuring environmental decision-making is based on sound science, and preventing partisan politics from inhibiting this necessary growth.”

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) said, “Oklahomans know how to build, produce, and deliver. The problem is not our workers or our resources. The problem is a federal permitting system that stands in the way of the people doing the work. I am proud to join Senator Armstrong to advance ideas to cut the red tape and let Oklahoma do what Oklahoma does best.”

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) said, “Bureaucratic red tape and radical environmentalists’ delay vital energy projects needed to advance American manufacturing. Our bill would streamline the federal permitting process to ensure we can accelerate critical energy infrastructure projects.”

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said, “For Alaska, few issues are more important than federal permitting reform. We have just about every resource our nation needs in great abundance, but almost every project is challenged, costing us investment, jobs, and security. We can’t even build simple roads without facing lawsuits these days. That’s why I have cosponsored Senator Armstrong’s American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which includes a number of good ideas to make lasting improvements to what is currently a failing system.”

Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) said, “Pennsylvania has the workers, resources, and infrastructure to power America for decades, but Washington’s broken permitting system is standing in the way. I’m proud to support this bill to bring clear rules and predictable timelines, get America building again, and help the United States achieve energy dominance and outcompete Communist China.”

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) said, “Ohio is leading energy production in the United States, and we refuse to let Washington’s bureaucratic red tape get in the way. It is time to slash burdensome regulations to give our companies the tools and freedom they need to out-compete any country in the world.”

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) said, “As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand. I am proud to join Senator Armstrong as a cosponsor of the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which would help streamline the process for federal permitting and construction and allow Texas to continue fueling the nation.”

Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) said, “America cannot achieve energy dominance if critical projects are tied up in years of unnecessary permitting delays and litigation. We need a permitting process that is efficient, predictable, and grounded in common sense to develop Montana’s abundant critical mineral resources and unleash American energy. The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act gets rid of burdensome red tape, provides certainty for job creators, and ensures radical politics doesn’t stand in the way of projects that strengthen our economy and national security.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said, “America’s energy demand is surging due to advanced technology and manufacturing, but our outdated federal permitting process remains a massive barrier to building the infrastructure we need to stay competitive. The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would cut red tape and accelerate construction of the critical energy and mineral projects essential to our nation’s future.”

Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) said, “Montana is rich in natural resources, from wind and hydro to coal and natural gas. It’s critical that we optimize the ability to build and provide consistent and reliable Made-In-America energy infrastructure. I’m thrilled to work with Senator Armstrong to streamline reviews and ensure Montana’s energy can reach the market.”

Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) said, “Every unnecessary regulation and every year a project sits tied up in red tape comes with a price tag, and eventually that bill gets passed on to American families. We have the energy and resources right here at home to power our country and lower costs. This legislation cuts through the regulatory maze, gets projects moving again, and lets American producers do what they do best.”

Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) said, “America cannot achieve true energy dominance with red tape standing in the way. By cutting the burdensome bureaucratic barriers that hold back American energy, undermine our national security, and stifle economic growth, we can ensure access to the reliable infrastructure needed to power the future. North Carolina is proud to lead the nation in high-tech manufacturing, and by making reliable power more accessible, we can lower energy bills and reshore key industries that create good-paying jobs.”

Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) said, “If we hope to secure America’s energy future, the government must get out of the way. This legislation would reduce unnecessary permitting rules, providing greater certainty for those investing in American energy.”

Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) said, “Permitting reform is affordability. Cutting unnecessary red tape lowers costs, strengthens American competitiveness and helps make life more affordable for working families. America has the energy resources and innovation needed to lead the world, and we need to make sure we can build the infrastructure needed to meet growing demand.”

S. 4944: THE AMERICAN ENERGY AND MINERAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACT OF 2026

• Strengthens the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERCs) role as the lead agency for interstate natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities, ensuring that no single state can unilaterally block federally authorized projects and reducing delays caused by duplicative or overlapping reviews. 
• Ensures consistent evidence-based environmental decision-making and includes targeted reforms to the Clean Water Act 401 review process for all types of infrastructure. 
• Provides certainty with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) general permits and nationwide permits by eliminating duplicative review, extending permit terms, and incorporating meaningful judicial reforms to avoid baseless lawsuits. 
• Provides statutory clarification necessary to re-enable essential mining activities on federal lands.
• Clarifies the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by codifying a targeted scope of review, preventing overly expansive environmental analyses, reaffirming the statute’s procedural nature, and establishing meaningful judicial review standards to ensure NEPA cannot be misused to stall critical infrastructure projects.

Bill text can be found here. 

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.

The section by section can be found here.

Read about the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act in Fox News here. 

BROAD COALITION OF SUPPORT

The addition of new Senate cosponsors follows a surge of endorsements from outside stakeholders across the country. Scores of energy producers, mining enterprises, labor unions, manufacturing associations, and policy groups have united behind the AEMI Act, recognizing it as an essential step toward restoring American infrastructure leadership and lower energy costs for families and businesses. 

Companies and organizations supporting Senator Armstrong’s permitting agenda include: ONE Gas, Inc., TC Energy, Williams, EQT, Woodside Energy USA, NextEra Energy, Expand Energy, Labor organizations, United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), South Central Pennsylvania Building Trades, Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154, Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA), American Public Power Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), American Gas Association (AGA), American Petroleum Institute (API), American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA), Center for LNG (CLNG), GPA Midstream, GPSA, Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA), The Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, Virginia Oil & Gas Association, National Mining Association (NMA), National Hydropower Association (NHA), Energy Infrastructure Council (EIC), Essential Minerals Association, Colorado Oil and Gas Association, Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW), Texas Pipeline Association, Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA), Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE), American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), Americans for Prosperity (AFP), ClearPath Action, ACC Action, America First Policy Institute, Cato Institute, and the Pacific Legal Foundation. 

Read statements of support on the AEMI Act here. 

Read statements of support for Senator Armstrong’s permitting agenda here.