House Approves Sweeping Clean Water Act Reforms

On December 11, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would make substantial reforms across multiple aspects of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Titled the ''Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (the "PERMIT Act" (H.R. 3898)), the bill would address multiple hot-button issues surrounding the CWA's implementation, including the consideration of technological feasibility for pollutant controls, permitting delays, and state overreach in water quality certifications issued under Section 401 of the CWA.

After passing in the House by a 221-205 vote (with six Democrats voting for the bill), the PERMIT Act will require Senate passage and President Trump's signature to become law. If that happens, the PERMIT Act's reforms would usher in an array of changes beneficial to both the public and private sectors. The Senate received the bill and referred it to the Committee on Environment and Public Works on December 15, 2025. Highlights of