The U.S. Senate voted to overturn a Biden Administration rule requiring rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells, according to a published report by the Associated Press.
The measure was approved on Thursday by a vote of 50-47 as Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia sided with Republicans in support of eliminating the rule. The measure is not expected to move forward after it is referred to the U.S. House of Representatives for further action.
The vote signaled strong Senate support for action to reform the federal permitting process, which can take up to 10 years for highways and other major projects.
The White House has threatened to veto the bill if it reaches Biden’s desk.
“This action would slow the construction of American infrastructure, lead to the waste of taxpayer resources on poorly designed projects and result in unnecessary and costly litigation and conflict that will delay permitting,” the White House said in a formal statement issued on Thursday.