Senate permitting proposal advances amid NEPA and Tribal-sovereignty dispute

The Senate voted 73–25 to proceed on S. 5653, a proposal to impose firm NEPA review and authorization deadlines, shorten the litigation window, and limit remedies; this is not final passage. Tribal, environmental, rural, and farm groups raise concerns about sovereignty, public input, water, and community protections, while the Farm Bureau says the bill still falls short on energy and Clean Water Act issues. Proposed amendments and Cortez Masto’s demand to remove historic-preservation provisions may shape the debate.