Elfreth Votes No on PERMIT Act, Sounds Alarm on Chesapeake Bay Harms
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, voted against H.R. 3893, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. She also spoke on the House floor in opposition to the legislation's specific provisions that undermine the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
"We know that water does not adhere to arbitrary political boundaries. Pollution in Pennsylvania will – and does – flow downstream to Maryland and Virginia," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. "Yet, the bill before us today, the PERMIT Act, attempts to dismantle this partnership between states and the EPA by watering down the key enforcement mechanisms that are needed to ensure compliance with evidence-based pollution standards."
Section 21 of the PERMIT Act strips the enforcement mechanisms of the EPA to hold state and local governments accountable to the Bay restoration, conservation, and protection goals outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, a coordinated, multi-state, bipartisan effort for over 40 years. Additionally, the bill would direct the federal government to act as an observer, rather than as an active partner in implementation of the Agreement by conducting oversight and ensuring progress.
Beyond its impact on the Chesapeake Bay, the PERMIT Act's primary purpose is to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which would weaken the Clean Water Act in favor of industry interests. For over fifty years, the Clean Water Act has been one of our nation's strongest tools to protect waterways from pollution and ensure clean, accessible water for all - including the Chesapeake Bay. The PERMIT Act would narrow the definition of what waterways would be protected from pollution and reduce regulatory oversight on water quality, stripping away long-standing safeguards central to the success of the Clean Water Act for rivers, streams, and watersheds nationwide.
Elfreth has been a champion of Chesapeake Bay restoration, conservation, and protection efforts since her time in the Maryland State Senate. Elfreth chaired the tri-state, bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Commission and worked with colleagues to pass the Whole Watershed Act, which promotes innovative, science-based solutions to waterway restoration efforts.
CLICK HERE to view Elfreth's full remarks.
Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth
Remarks as Delivered
Floor Debate Against H.R. 3893
December 11th, 2025
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
2.8 million acres of farmland protected, 35,000 miles of fish passages opened, nearly 1500 new public water access sites established, upgrades to every large wastewater treatment plant in the watershed to improve water quality, and the largest oyster reef restoration in the world.
Mr. Speaker, these are just five of the biggest wins in the last 43 years of the landmark Chesapeake Bay Agreement. In fact, it was just updated last week, after years of careful and difficult negotiation and public input, to unite states across the Bay to think bigger and bolder to restore the beloved Watershed we all share.
We know that water does not adhere to arbitrary political boundaries. Pollution in Pennsylvania will – and does – flow downstream to Maryland and Virginia. All states rely on the EPA to conduct oversight and enforcement of pollution entering our waterways and to hold everyone accountable to our shared communities. Yet, the bill before us today, the PERMIT Act, attempts to dismantle this partnership between states and the EPA by watering down the key enforcement mechanisms that are needed to ensure compliance with evidence-based pollution standards.
I know these bipartisan, multi-state partnerships are not easy. I was a part of them before I joined this chamber. They take years of collaboration. That should be fostered, Mr. Speaker, not dismantled by this and future Congresses, which is why I urge my colleagues to support this decades-long partnership by voting no on this bill.
I yield back.
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