Ted Poe: “I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Mr. Marino, and Mr. Smith for working on this important bill and bringing it to the House…”

“I thank Chairman Goodlatte, Mr. Marino, and Mr. Smith for working on this important bill and bringing it to the House floor. Speeding up the regulatory process in the United States is an important issue in keeping America competitive. The methodical, slow, snail-paced decision or lack of decision process of the EPA to make a decision on whether or not to approve a project is absurd. The RAPID Act addresses the problem of extensive requirements and growing delays in Federal permitting and approvals for construction projects stemming from multiple agencies, excessive requirements, and unnecessary lawsuits. According to an April 2014 report issued by the GAO, the average preparation time for the required environmental impact statement finalized in 2012 was over 4\1/2\ years. Now, the environmental impact statement is just the first requirement in getting a permit. Four-and-a-half years--World War II took less time than it takes the EPA to make a decision on whether or not to approve a project. They just continue to study and study and study. Mr. Chair, it is about time for the EPA to pick a horse and ride it, make a decision about these projects. I am not going to talk in theory. I am going to talk about an actual project down in my congressional district. The Sabine-Neches Waterway, most Americans have never heard of it. The Sabine-Neches waterway is what some of us call ``the other Texas international border.'' It is the waterway between Louisiana and Texas.…”