SENATE KILLS HIGHWAY BILL PROVISION EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS

A freshman Senate Republican has successfully removed a provision in the pending transportation bill that he and industry proponents say would have undermined the bill's ability to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act's (NEPA) review process for new highway projects. The Senate last week eliminated a provision in the bill requiring the government to "ensure" that industry has considered whether a highway project would cause damage to the environment. Lawmakers adopted by voice vote an amendment by Sen. John Thune...