House Passes SPEED Act to Accelerate AI Infrastructure Permitting as Trump Administration Launches Tech Force
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved landmark legislation aimed at slashing bureaucratic delays for major infrastructure projects, including those critical to powering the nation’s booming artificial intelligence sector. The Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act passed on December 18, 2025, by a vote of 221-196, despite internal Republican tensions and strong Democratic opposition.
Sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, and co-sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), the bill targets reforms to the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA currently requires extensive federal environmental reviews for projects with significant impacts, often leading to years-long delays and costly litigation.
The SPEED Act would streamline this process by tightening deadlines for reviews, limiting the scope of what qualifies as a “major federal action,” and shortening the statute of limitations for NEPA lawsuits from six years to just 150 days. Supporters argue these changes are essential for national competitiveness. “The electricity we will need to power AI computing for civilian and military use is a national imperative,” Westerman said. Golden added that the reforms would make the United States “nimble enough to build what we need, when we need it.”
Major tech companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, and Micron, have endorsed the measure. As power-hungry data centers strain the electric grid, backers say the U.S. must move faster to maintain its edge over China in the global AI race. Bipartisan frustration with permitting delays—previously highlighted by stalled clean energy projects—has fueled momentum for reform.
However, the bill’s path was rocky. A conservative revolt during a procedural vote nearly derailed it, prompting last-minute amendments. GOP leadership added language protecting certain Trump administration actions on renewables, such as offshore wind restrictions, from new limits on arbitrary permit revocations. This intensified opposition from most Democrats, who argued it undermined environmental protections and favored fossil fuels. Only about a dozen Democrats supported the final measure. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), a permitting reform advocate who voted against it, criticized the amendments for codifying a “broken permitting status quo” and expressed hope for a more bipartisan Senate version.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it could become part of broader negotiations on energy and infrastructure policy.
In a parallel push to bolster AI capabilities, the Trump administration this month unveiled the U.S. Tech Force, a new initiative to recruit roughly 1,000 engineers and technology specialists for two-year terms across federal agencies. Participants will tackle AI infrastructure, modernization projects, and high-priority tech challenges while working directly with agency leadership.
The program emphasizes public-private partnerships with leading firms including Amazon Web Services, Apple, Google, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, Palantir, and Salesforce. Tech Force members gain hands-on government experience, with pathways to full-time roles at partner companies upon completion. Private-sector employees may also rotate into government positions.
Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor described the effort as a way to “reshape the workforce to make sure we have the right talent on the right problems.” Launched shortly after President Trump’s executive order on a national AI framework, the Tech Force underscores the administration’s focus on winning the AI competition with China through both policy and talent.
Together, the SPEED Act and Tech Force signal a concerted effort to remove barriers and inject expertise into America’s AI ambitions. Whether these moves deliver faster results will depend on Senate action and implementation in the months ahead.
