USTelecom Applauds House Passage of SPEED Act, Encourages Senate to Keep Up the Momentum

December 18, 2025

Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan SPEED Act, sponsored by House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine). USTelecom - The Broadband Association applauds this critical step towards modernizing the federal permitting process and accelerating the deployment of essential infrastructure projects.

The House approved the legislation by a 221-196 vote, reflecting growing bipartisan recognition that outdated and inefficient permitting rules are slowing investment, increasing costs, and delaying the infrastructure needed to support economic growth.

"America's permitting system is badly in need of reform," said Brandon Heiner, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at USTelecom - The Broadband Association. "Outdated reviews and archaic processes slow progress, raise costs, and ultimately hurt consumers. The House showed real leadership by passing the SPEED Act, which makes much needed improvements in the NEPA permitting process and clears the way for more broadband expansion. We urge the Senate to pick up the baton and deliver permitting reform that allows critical infrastructure projects to move forward with certainty."

USTelecom looks forward to working with lawmakers in both chambers to advance pragmatic, bipartisan solutions that modernize the permitting process and enable America's broadband providers to build faster, smarter, and more secure networks.