The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a compromise pipeline safety bill Tuesday — a sign of significant progress in Congress’ yearslong push to revamp the nation’s pipeline regulator.
The panel approved the Pipeline Safety Authorization Act, H.R. 9338, from Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) by a 41-8 vote after adopting a bipartisan substitute amendment by voice vote.
The amendment made changes to provisions that had previously prompted Democratic opposition — including language to prosecute individuals who disrupt pipeline operations.
Lawmakers’ stamp of approval puts Energy and Commerce on the same plane as the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which advanced its own bipartisan pipeline safety bill, H.R. 5301, last year. The Senate passed its bipartisan PIPELINE Safety Act, S. 2975, in April.
