House rejects the amendment to define significant effects triggering environmental impact statements
On Agreeing to the Amendment
DEC 18, 2025 · 2:30 PM ET
Party-line vote, except 1 Democrat and 8 Republicans who crossed. 7 votes short of the 211 needed.
What the House was voting on
The House voted on whether to add H.Amdt. 140 to H.R. 4776, the SPEED Act, which would narrow which federal actions trigger environmental review and speed that review. The amendment would define a significant effect as direct, concrete harm that materially impairs human health or property, and require an environmental impact statement for actions with at least one such effect. It failed by 7 votes, receiving 204 yes votes against the 211 needed.
Add H.Amdt. 140’s definition of significant effect and environmental-impact-statement requirement to H.R. 4776.
Leave H.R. 4776’s text unchanged by this amendment.
Defines a significant effect as direct, concrete harm from a proposed agency action that materially impairs human health or property.
Passed the House 221–196 on Dec. 18, 2025. Now waiting in the Senate, 444 days after it was introduced.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
211 is a majority of the 421 members voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- TIES
- A tie fails in the House: a majority means more yeas than nays.
Party line, with 1 Democrat and 8 Republicans crossing1 Democrat and 8 Republicans crossed. It wasn’t enough.
Every vote on H.R. 4776, in both chambersEvery vote on H.R. 4776
- DEC 4Reported by Natural ResourcesREPORTED25–18
- DEC 16#337Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 951)AGREED TO215–207
- DEC 16#338On the rule (H.Res. 951)AGREED TO215–209
- DEC 17#343Previous question on the rule (H.Res. 953)AGREED TO204–203
- DEC 17#344On the rule (H.Res. 953)AGREED TO213–209
- DEC 18#354THIS VOTEAmendment H.Amdt. 140FAILED204–2177 votes short of the 211 needed.
- DEC 18#355Motion to recommitFAILED206–211
- DEC 18#356On passagePASSED221–19611 Democrats voted yes
