National Trust for Historic Preservation: Return to home page

On November 20, the House Natural Resources Committee held a multi-bill markup session that included more than five hours of debate on provisions in the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776). The bipartisan bill is led by Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME). The permitting reform legislation primarily focuses on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and includes a number of provisions, including limiting the scope of NEPA review, reducing timelines, and addressing the volume of litigation.

Despite general consensus on the need for permitting reform, the bill’s provisions generated significant disagreement. Democrats offered numerous amendments to strike language in the bill or make additions, including expanding the scope of NEPA reviews to include long-term impacts, reinstating previously active clean energy projects, and ensuring parity between various types of energy projects. All but one of the amendments failed to be included, and the final vote on passage was 25-18, with two Democrats joining their Republican colleagues in support.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has indicated the SPEED Act is a “major priority,” and while the House floor calendar is backed up after the government shutdown, Republicans will schedule the bill for a House floor vote as soon as possible after the bill is finalized. The SPEED Act does not have a matching companion bill in the Senate; however, Senate leaders have similarly indicated strong interest in advancing a permitting reform proposal. Any dissimilar House and Senate proposals will require a negotiation of a singular legislative package, and the National Trust will continue our engagement with Congress as the legislative process moves forward.

A recording of the session is available on the committee website.

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) is responsible for approving new construction in the Washington, D.C. metro region. While the NCPC does not oversee demolition within the District, the commission is expected to review plans for new construction at the White House. After shuttering for more than a month as a result of the government shutdown, the next public meeting of the NCPC is scheduled to occur on December 4. The commission typically meets on the first Thursday of the month, and construction of a ballroom at the White House does not appear on next month’s tentative agenda.

Commission meetings may be observed either online or in person without registration. Anyone wishing to provide oral testimony must register in advance, and all written comments, oral statements, and any supporting materials become part of the public record. Meetings are livestreamed, recorded, and transcribed, with all materials made available online.

The National Trust will monitor NCPC’s meeting schedule and provide updates to ensure the preservation community has access to information and opportunities to follow federal planning decisions that may affect historic resources. With ongoing interest in the White House East Wing and ballroom construction projects, a future meeting of the NCPC offers an important opportunity for those interested to participate in the public process.

More information about the NCPC can be found here. You can also review our FAQ about the construction of the White House ballroom.

Speakers

Moderator: Shaw Sprague, Vice President for Government Relations

Pam Bowman, Senior Director of Public Lands Policy
Christopher Cody, Associate General Counsel
Betsy Merritt, Deputy General Counsel
Lauren Cohen, Associate Director of Government Relations

Links and Resources

• Slide Deck:Defending the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106
• Senate Hearing Examines Section 106 and the Role of Preservation in Permitting (National Trust Update)
• SPEED Act markup on Thursday 11/20
• Link to 2026 House schedule
• ACHP Program alternatives
• Challenges to the National Environmental Policy Act
• Statement in Response to the Proposed Construction of the White House Ballroom
• 6 Things You Might Not Know About Historic Preservation Offices (But Should!)
• In Their Own Words: Historic Preservation Officers on Why Their Work Matters

Past Webinars

• Federal Advocacy Update—What You Can Do Now (July 2025)
• Navigating Congress and the Administration in 2025 and Beyond (February 2025)

Section 106 101

• Basics of 106 Review
• How You Can Get Involved in a Section 106 Review

On October 29 at 9:30 a.m., the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing focused on the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its Section 106 review process. Lawmakers discussed how preservation intersects with federal permitting, reflecting the growing attention to efficiency, consultation, and the balance between development and protection of historic and cultural resources.

Committee Chair Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) opened the hearing by emphasizing that Section 106 was designed as a procedural safeguard, not a barrier to progress, and questioned whether its implementation has expanded beyond the scope Congress had intended. He cited examples of infrastructure and energy projects delayed by lengthy review processes, calling for a recalibrated approach that maintains heritage protection while reducing uncertainty for developers.

Ranking Member Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) offered a complementary but distinct perspective, reaffirming that the NHPA ensures federal agencies consider historic and cultural impacts before approving projects. He underscored the importance of consultation with Tribal nations and local communities, noting that adequate federal staffing is essential to efficiently process permits and uphold preservation standards.

Witnesses included Dr. Chris Merritt, Utah’s State Historic Preservation Officer; Mr. Andy McDonald, Environmental Compliance Manager for Montana-Dakota Utilities; and Mr. Steven Concho, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Pueblo of Acoma. Each shared views on how Section 106 operates in practice, addressing the challenges of staffing, consultation timelines, and coordination among agencies and stakeholders.

Members from both sides of the aisle posed questions to the witnesses inquiring about possible refinements to the Section 106 process. While witness views varied on the efficiency and scope of Section 106, when Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) asked if any of the witnesses supported eliminating the process altogether, all three affirmed that Section 106 must remain in place as a vital safeguard for historic and cultural resources.

The National Trust submitted written testimony for the hearing record, underscoring the importance of Section 106 as a cornerstone of preservation practice and a critical mechanism for transparency and accountability in federal decision-making.

Download the National Trust's full written testimony (PDF).

The full recording of the hearing and the written testimonies from all three witnesses can be found on the committee website.

As of October 1, the federal government has officially shut down, following Congress’s failure to reach an agreement on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to maintain current funding levels.

The impasse has triggered widespread disruptions, including the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The last government shutdown lasted for 35 days in 2018 and into 2019.

For the historic preservation community, the impact could be severe if the shutdown continues. Project reviews are likely to be delayed, grant processing at the National Park Service could slow or come to a halt, and operations at State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs and THPOs) may be significantly disrupted.

Communities that depend on federal support for preservation initiatives now face heightened uncertainty and potential setbacks.

As of now, many National Parks will remain open to the public, but with reduced staffing and limited programming. Visitors can expect curtailed services.

This ongoing budget standoff underscores a critical truth: preserving our nation’s historic and cultural resources requires stable, long-term federal investment.

We continue to advocate for reliable funding to ensure that preservation efforts are not left in limbo during political gridlock.

The National Trust’s Government Relations team is closely monitoring the impacts of the federal shutdown and ongoing negotiations. We will continue to share updates on our website and social media channels.

If you know of historic preservation efforts directly affected by the shutdown, please let us know by emailing policy@savingplaces.org. Your stories help us highlight the critical role preservation plays in communities nationwide.