The Senate parliamentarian on Monday dealt a blow to Republican efforts to accelerate natural gas export approvals through their tax, energy and border security megabill.
Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough also moved against a second provision meant to accelerate National Environmental Policy Act reviews, according to information released by Senate Budget Committee Democrats before midnight.
The GOP is looking to advance their megabill using the budget reconciliation process to bypass the Senate filibuster. That means they must adhere to strict budget rules.
The House Natural Resources Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee proposed allowing natural gas export companies to pay a fee in exchange for the Department of Energy to deem projects in the national interest. MacDonough said such language did not qualify for passage under reconciliation.
