Cory A. Booker
Senator for New Jersey · Democratic · United States
“To me, that is a living shame, that men and women are risking their lives for the Constitution we serve, and we can't even live up to the roles that we are to play within that constitutional Republic. What does it say that men and women are dying for this country and we are not even living up to its laws?”
“To me, that is a living shame, that men and women are risking their lives for the Constitution we serve, and we can't even live up to the roles that we are to play within that constitutional Republic. What does it say that men and women are dying for this country and we are not even living up to its laws?”
“We know, in this body, that every single day we are privy to information; that every single day we go into classified settings and hear about the fact that every single day there are Americans standing up for our country in dangerous places who are doing dangerous things.”
“We know, in this body, that every single day we are privy to information; that every single day we go into classified settings and hear about the fact that every single day there are Americans standing up for our country in dangerous places who are doing dangerous things.”
“You see, our Founders understood the nature of war, and they understood--in light of Kings and Queens and Monarchs who so easily pushed their country into war with no consequence, how easily they put lives on the line, sent men and women into battles--it was such a significant understanding that they had that they said: No individual shou…”
“You see, our Founders understood the nature of war, and they understood--in light of Kings and Queens and Monarchs who so easily pushed their country into war with no consequence, how easily they put lives on the line, sent men and women into battles--it was such a significant understanding that they had that they said: No individual shou…”
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“It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the current war and atrocities taking place in Sudan by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and allied militias must end immediately; (2) the international community must condemn the atrocities taking place in Sudan; (3) the United Nations Security Council should-- (A) expand the Darfur arms embargo to apply to all territory and actors within the internationally recognized borders of Sudan; (B) expand the Darfur arms embargo to include dual-use equipment under the list of prohibited material; and (C) establish a more stringent sanctions enforcement regime to ensure actors violating the current Darfur arms embargo are held accountable; (4) the U.S.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3825] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6621. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle E of title XII, add the following: SEC. 1271. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ENFORCING AND EXPANDING THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ARMS EMBARGO ON SUDAN.”
“(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means an entity that provides medically accurate, comprehensive maternity services to covered veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary, including under the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code. (3) VA video connect.--The term ``VA Video Connect'' means the program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using encryption to ensure a secure and private session. ______”
“(2) Final report.--As part of the final report submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include recommendations on whether the model studied in the pilot program should be continued or more widely adopted by the Department. (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032, such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. (l) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered veteran.--The term ``covered veteran'' means a pregnant veteran or a formerly pregnant veteran (with respect to sessions post-partum) who is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.”
“(h) Term of Pilot Program.--The Secretary shall conduct the pilot program for a period of five years. (i) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall establish a process to provide technical assistance to eligible entities and doulas participating in the pilot program. (j) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for each year in which the pilot program is carried out, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the pilot program.”
“(2) Duties.--A Doula Service Coordinator established under paragraph (1) at a medical facility shall be responsible for-- (A) working with eligible entities, doulas, and covered veterans participating in the pilot program; and (B) managing payment between eligible entities and the Department under the pilot program. (3) Tracking of information.--A doula providing services under the pilot program shall report to the applicable Doula Service Coordinator after each session conducted under the pilot program. (4) Coordination with women's program manager.--A Doula Service Coordinator for a medical facility of the Department shall coordinate with the women's program manager for that facility in carrying out the duties of the Doula Service Coordinator under the pilot program.”
“(2) Guidelines for veteran-specific care.--The Office shall establish guidelines under the pilot program for training doulas on military sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. (3) Amounts for care.--The Office may recommend to the Secretary appropriate payment amounts for care and services provided under the pilot program, which shall not exceed $3,500 per doula per veteran. (g) Doula Service Coordinator.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Office, shall establish a Doula Service Coordinator within the functions of the Maternity Care Coordinator at each medical facility of the Department that is participating in the pilot program.”
“(2) Sessions.--Sessions covered under paragraph (1) shall be as follows: (A) Three or four sessions before labor and delivery. (B) One session during labor and delivery. (C) Three or four sessions after post-partum, which may be conducted via the mobile application for VA Video Connect. (f) Administration of Pilot Program.-- (1) In general.--The Office of Women's Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor office (in this section referred to as the ``Office''), shall-- (A) coordinate services and activities under the pilot program; (B) oversee the administration of the pilot program; and (C) conduct onsite assessments of medical facilities of the Department that are participating in the pilot program.”
“1395ww(d)(3)(E)(iii)(II))) where more than \1/3\ of the population lives in frontier land; and (B) serving populations experiencing higher average risk and prevalence for maternal mental health disorders, including American Indian or Alaska Native veterans. (d) Open Participation.--The Secretary shall allow any eligible entity or covered veteran interested in participating in the pilot program to participate in the pilot program. (e) Services Provided.-- (1) In general.--Under the pilot program, a covered veteran shall receive not more than 10 sessions of care from a doula under the Whole Health model of the Department, or successor model, under which a doula works as an advocate for the veteran alongside the medical team for the veteran.”
“(c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in-- (1) the three Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department that have the highest percentage of female veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, compared to the total number of enrolled veterans in such Network; (2) the three Veterans Integrated Service Networks that have the lowest percentage of female veterans enrolled in the patient enrollment system compared to the total number of enrolled veterans in such Network; and (3) at least one Veterans Integrated Services Network-- (A) located in or serving a Frontier State (as defined in section 1886(d)(3)(E)(iii)(II) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(4) Goals.--The goals of the pilot program are the following: (A) To improve-- (i) maternal, mental health, and infant care outcomes; (ii) integration of doula support services into the Whole Health model of the Department, or successor model; and (iii) the experience of women receiving maternity care from the Department, including by increasing the ability of a woman to develop and follow her own birthing plan. (B) To reengage veterans with the Department after giving birth.”
“[[Page S3825]] (3) Consultation.--In designing and implementing the pilot program, the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including-- (A) organizations representing veterans, including veterans that are disproportionately impacted by poor maternal health outcomes; (B) community-based health care professionals, including doulas, and other stakeholders; and (C) experts in promoting health equity and combating racial bias in health care settings.”
“(b) Program.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pilot program to furnish doula services to covered veterans through eligible entities by expanding the Whole Health model of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or successor model, to measure the impact that doula support services have on birth and mental health outcomes of pregnant veterans (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program''). (2) Consideration.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall consider all types of doulas, including traditional and community-based doulas.”
“(7) Notably, a quarter of the deliveries specified in paragraph (5) from fiscal year 2019 were among veterans of advanced maternal age (35 years old or older) and a quarter were among Black or African-American veterans, both groups known to experience higher risk of severe maternal morbidity. (8) A study in 2010 found that veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who experienced pregnancy were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia as those who had not experienced a pregnancy. (9) The number of women veterans of reproductive age seeking care from the Department continues to grow (more than 228,000 as of fiscal year 2020).”
“(5) Although prenatal care and delivery is not provided in facilities of the Department, pregnant women seeking care from the Department for other conditions may also need emergency care and require coordination of services through the Veterans Community Care Program under section 1703 of title 38, United States Code. (6) The number of women veteran patients with obstetric deliveries paid for by the Department increased to more than 5,500 in fiscal year 2019, triple the number of such patients in fiscal year 2009, and 22 times the number from fiscal year 1999.”
“(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) There are approximately 2,100,000 women within the veteran population in the United States, the fastest growing demographic group of veterans. (2) By 2020, the proportion of all women veterans using health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs grew to 28 percent from 17 percent in 2010. (3) During the period of 2010 through 2020, the number of women veterans using health care from the Department nearly doubled, from 316,961 to 556,135. (4) In 2025, there are more than 600,000 women receiving health care from the Department.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3824-S3825] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6620. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in subtitle G of title X, insert the following: SEC. __. PILOT PROGRAM ON DOULA SUPPORT FOR VETERANS.”
“``(c) Sunset.--This section shall cease to have any force or effect on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section.''. ______”
“``(b) Objectives.--The Initiative shall-- ``(1) advance research to-- ``(A) reduce preventable causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; ``(B) reduce health disparities related to maternal health outcomes, including such disparities associated with medically underserved populations; and ``(C) improve health for pregnant and postpartum women before, during, and after pregnancy; ``(2) use an integrated approach to understand the factors, including biological, behavioral, and other factors, that affect maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by building an evidence base for improved outcomes in specific regions of the United States; and ``(3) target health disparities associated with maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by-- ``(A) implementing and evaluating community-based interventions for disproportionately affected women; and ``(B) identifying risk factors and the underlying biological mechanisms associated with leading causes of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States.”
“Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 409K. IMPROVE INITIATIVE. ``(a) In General.--The Director of NIH shall carry out a program of research to improve health outcomes, to be known as the Implementing a Maternal health and PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone Initiative (referred to in this section as the `Initiative').”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3824] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6619. Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mrs. Britt) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following: SEC. 10__. IMPROVE INITIATIVE.”
“(6) An identification of capability gaps across naval, air, logistics, and supporting forces required to ensure continued access and freedom of navigation through major global maritime chokepoints. ______”
“(2) An evaluation of the force posture, force structure, and operational requirements necessary to maintain access during disruptions, including if disruptions happen at multiple maritime chokepoints simultaneously. (3) An analysis of threats posed by mines, unmanned systems, missiles, small boat attacks, and other asymmetric capabilities to United States and allied maritime operations. (4) An assessment of coordination and operational planning with allies, partners, and interagency entities for responding to maritime chokepoint disruptions, including if disruptions happen at multiple chokepoints simultaneously. (5) An evaluation of global force management tradeoffs associated with responding to simultaneous or multiple maritime chokepoint disruptions.”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct an assessment of-- (1) the readiness of the United States Armed Forces to respond to disruptions affecting major global maritime chokepoints (including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab-el Mandeb, Suez Canal, and Strait of Malacca); and (2) the ability of the Department of Defense to maintain freedom of navigation and access through such chokepoints during periods of crisis or conflict. (b) Report.--Not later 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the findings of the assessment required by subsection (a) that includes the following: (1) An assessment of vulnerabilities to freedom of navigation and maritime access at major global maritime chokepoints.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S3824] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6618. Mr. BOOKER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1094. ASSESSMENT OF MARITIME CHOKEPOINT RESILIENCE.”
“(5) Environmental review.--The term ``environmental review'' means any Federal agency procedures or processes for-- (A) applying a categorical exclusion; or (B) preparing an environmental assessment, an environmental impact statement, or another document required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (6) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the meaning given the term ``agency'' in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (7) Federal permitting improvement steering council.--The term ``Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council'' has the meaning given the term ``Council'' in section 41001 of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m). ______”
“(2) Authorization data.--The term ``authorization data'' means-- (A) any data relevant for a Federal agency to-- (i) determine the effect on the environment of an action for which an authorization is required by the Federal agency; and (ii) determine whether to issue such authorization; and (B) any community input or public comment on such determinations. (3) Data architecture.--The term ``data architecture'' means the design and organization of data systems, including frameworks for data storage, processing, and exchange. (4) Data standards.--The term ``data standards'' means agreed-upon specifications for data formats, structures, and definitions to ensure consistency and vendor neutral interoperability.”
“(i) Savings Clause.--To the extent that a data system, technology, or tool developed or incorporated into a unified interagency [[Page S3824]] data system under this section is not limited by project type, the data system, technology, or tool shall not have its use be restricted by project type. (j) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Authorization.--The term ``authorization'' means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision issued by an agency and any interagency consultation that is required or authorized under Federal law in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a project administered by a Federal agency.”
“(g) Authority to Enter Into Contracts.--The Council on Environmental Quality may enter into contracts and other arrangements for analyses, services, and products with Federal agencies, private organizations, and businesses, and make such payments as determined necessary by the Council on Environmental Quality to carry out the provisions of this section. (h) Clarifying Rulemaking Authority.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Council on Environmental Quality or a Federal agency to impose additional regulatory processes or requirements beyond those expressly stipulated under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or any other law.”
“(3) Report.--Not less frequently than annually, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the Chief Information Officers Council, and other relevant stakeholders and Federal agencies, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the Council on Environmental Quality's progress on developing a unified interagency data system under paragraph (1)(A).”
“(2) Deadlines.-- (A) Shared services pilot.--Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Council on Environmental Quality shall oversee piloting of shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including the authorization portal under paragraph (1)(B). (B) Unified system development and implementation.--To the maximum extent practicable, not later than December 1, 2027, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality shall develop and implement the unified interagency data system required under paragraph (1)(A).”
“(C) Cybersecurity and compliance considerations.--The authorization portal shall be designed to promote vendor neutral interoperability, reduce redundancy, and ensure compliance and coordination with other laws, including-- (i) section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act of 1974), and subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code; (ii) the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program established under section 3608 of title 44, United States Code; and (iii) the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security, for a case in which the project is in coordination with a Federal agency with stringent security requirements.”
“(III) Technical assistance.--The Council on Environmental Quality shall provide to Congress technical assistance upon request to ensure effective use of the authorization portal and Artificial Intelligence systems for oversight purposes.”
“(v) Congressional access and oversight.-- (I) In general.--The authorization portal shall provide Congress with direct access to aggregated performance data and other analytics to enable real-time oversight of Federal agencies. (II) Artificial intelligence support systems and training materials.--Congress shall have access to the data, fine- tuning procedures, and prompt configurations specifically created or adapted for Artificial Intelligence systems used to support environmental review or authorization activities, excluding proprietary or general pretraining materials unrelated to such agency-specific customization.”
“(ii) Administrative support.--The Administrator of General Services shall host the authorization portal as a shared service for Congress, Federal agencies, and the public. (iii) Accessability.--The authorization portal shall be accessible to Congress, Federal agencies, and the public, with appropriate safeguards to protect sensitive or classified information and information restricted by user type as appropriate. (iv) Public accessibility.--To the extent practicable and consistent with other law, the authorization portal shall provide public access to non-sensitive data, including authorization timelines, location, project type, environmental reviews, and mitigation measures.”
“4332(2)(C)''; and (bb) the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B); (II) serve as a platform for tracking and displaying real- time data on environmental reviews and authorizations made available through application programming interfaces or other reporting mechanisms from Federal agency systems that are compliant with the data standards and data architecture described in this section; (III) be supported by a decentralized, cross-network digital infrastructure software that ensures vendor neutrality and interoperability of data and models across Federal agencies; (IV) include a mechanism for the dissemination of relevant information (such as a notice of intent for public comment, public meetings, project statuses, or a notice of intent to begin an environmental review) to local communities, as applicable; (V) allow a project sponsor to submit all necessary documentation for environmental reviews and authorizations in one unified and secure portal; (VI) support interactive, digital, and cloud-based tools enabling applicants to edit documents and collaborate with relevant Federal agencies in real time; (VII) support visual features, including video, animation, geographic information system displays, interactive maps, and three-dimensional renderings; (VIII) provide for the exchange of information to and from Federal agency data systems via an application programming interface or another reporting mechanisms; (IX) allow for the submission of geospatial data associated with project location, footprint, and impact; (X) support automatic documentation of submission and process timelines; and (XI) allow the following metrics to be tracked over time-- (aa) estimates of achieved efficiencies, such as reductions in the time between receipt of applications and final authorization decisions; (bb) comparisons of authorization timelines before and after the implementation of this section; (cc) usage of the authorization portal and other statistics from the Digital Analytics Program; (dd) metrics on the number of public comments received, responses provided, and community meetings held; (ee) the number of projects subject to litigation based on authorization deficiencies or inefficiencies; (ff) a list of Federal agencies that are not yet fully compliant with the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B), along with their progress toward compliance; and (gg) examples or repositories of Federal agency-developed digital workflows enabled by the implementation of this section, including visualizations of data sharing, authorizations and decision logic, and environmental reviews.”
“(B) Authorization portal.-- (i) In general.--The shared services developed and maintained under subparagraph (A) shall include a common interactive, digital, cloud-based authorization portal, which shall-- (I) be designed in a manner consistent with-- (aa) the recommendations of the Council on Environmental Quality included in the study submitted pursuant to section 110 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336d) titled ``Council on Environmental Quality Report to Congress on the Potential for Online and Digital Technologies to Address Delays in Reviews and Improve Public Accessibility and Transparency under 42 U.S.C.”
“(f) Unified Interagency Data System.-- (1) In general.-- (A) Unified interagency data system.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality and the head of each Federal agency responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations shall iteratively develop and maintain a unified interagency data system consisting of interconnected Federal agency systems and shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations.”
“(2) Report.--Not less frequently than twice each year, the Chief Information Officer of each Federal agency, in consultation with the Chief Environmental Review and Permitting Officer of each Federal agency, shall submit to the Council on Environmental Quality and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a report on the progress of the Federal agency towards meeting the requirements of paragraph (1).”
“(e) Implementation of Data Standards and Minimum Functional Requirements.-- [[Page S3823]] (1) Implementation.--The head of each Federal agency responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations shall-- (A) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act-- (i) compare existing Federal agency systems for environmental reviews and authorizations under their authority with the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B) and report findings from such comparison to the Council on Environmental Quality; (ii) assess whether existing Federal agency technological capabilities are consistent with the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B); (iii) submit to the Council on Environmental Quality a report that estimates the completion dates for implementing the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B); and (iv) submit to the Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, an implementation plan that-- (I) describes how the Federal agency will implement the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B); and (II) describes how, to the extent the Federal agency determines necessary to meet relevant statutory requirements, the Federal agency will adopt or implement the prototype tools tested, designed, and built under subsection (c); and (B) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, begin implementing the data standards published under subsection (b) and the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d)(1)(B).”
“(ix) Common or interoperable Federal agency services that integrate shared services, shared applications, and common user experiences for Federal agency staff, project sponsors, and the public. (2) Inclusions.--The guidance published under this subsection shall include the following: (A) Guidelines for cloud-based storage, data sharing protocols, and application programming interfaces to enable the Council on Environmental Quality to work with Federal agencies to use authorization data to aid Federal agencies in modernizing their environmental reviews and authorizations and for iterative development of the authorization portal. (B) Provisions that support scalability and adaptability of the minimum requirements to emerging technologies.”
“(vi) Document management tools that preserve metadata associated with geospatial analysis, modeling, and other analytic processes conducted during an environmental review or authorization, to support future reviews and enable Artificial Intelligence-assisted analysis of past decisions. (vii) Automated comment compilation and analysis tools, including services for comment categorization and response that handle the lifecycle of comment submission, analysis, categorization and response with Artificial Intelligence support where appropriate. (viii) Administrative record management tools that maintain both portable document formats and data-rich repositories accessible to both machine and human users.”
“Automated project screening may not be used by the Council on Environmental Quality or a Federal agency to unlawfully restrict any activities on Federal lands. (iii) Public availability of screening criteria and related decision models. (iv) Automated case or project management tools which include a repository of relevant data and metadata that enable advanced tracking, reporting, and optimization to aid workflows. (v) Integrated geographic information system analysis tools which incorporate geospatial data layers and models for each resource analyzed as part of an environmental review or authorization for a given study area.”
“(d) Publication of Guidance for Implementation of Data Standards and Minimum Functional Requirements.-- (1) Publication.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality shall publish guidance for how each Federal agency responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations implements-- (A) the data standards published under subsection (b); and (B) the following minimum functional requirements: (i) Application data sharing that enables automated transfer of relevant environmental review and authorization data among Federal agencies. (ii) Automated project screening to assist frontline staff with reviewing project sponsor provided information for completeness and accuracy and determining if a categorical exclusion or other general authorization applies to an action.”
“The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality shall prioritize designing, testing, and building tools under this subsection that-- (1) support authorization case or project management systems that manage tasks, milestones, and activities associated with environmental reviews and authorizations, and provide Federal agencies more data and insight into such reviews and authorizations; (2) enable-- (A) application submission and tracking portals used by project sponsors, enabling greater transparency; and (B) public comment opportunity tracking portals to increase transparency; (3) facilitate automated applications, environmental reviews. and authorizations; (4) allow data exchange between Federal agency systems; and (5) accelerate complex environmental reviews.”
“(c) Development of Prototype Tools.--The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the Chief Information Officers Council, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and other relevant stakeholders and Federal agencies, shall design, test, and build prototype tools for environmental reviews and authorizations that will assist Federal agencies in implementing the minimum functional requirements described in subsection (d).”
“(2) Inclusions.--The data standards developed, published, and iteratively updated under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A standardized taxonomy that allows Federal agencies to identify and track data types, relationships, and values. (B) Comprehensive categories for data, such as-- (i) projects; (ii) processes; (iii) environmental documents; (iv) public comments; (v) geospatial information; (vi) public engagement events, as applicable by process or Federal agency; (vii) case events; and (viii) milestones to ensure clarity and uniformity.”
“(b) Establishment of Data Standards.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, in consultation with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, the Chief Information Officers Council, the Office of Management and Budget, and other relevant stakeholders and Federal agencies, shall develop, publish, and iteratively update data standards for the collection and curation of authorization data by Federal agencies, which shall be used to-- (A) assist with environmental reviews and authorizations; (B) organize, define, and standardize various concepts, formats, and protocols that are included in environmental reviews and authorizations; and (C) reduce the need for redundant environmental reviews by creating a shared vocabulary and software systems that will support vendor neutrality, data interoperability, workflow automation, and automatic data exchange between Federal agencies.”
“(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that-- (1) coordination between Federal, State, and local agencies and project sponsors is critical to ensuring the timely and effective completion of environmental reviews and authorizations, including through the sharing of relevant information, alignment of environmental review timelines, and integration of authorizations, while maintaining compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements; (2) digital strategies for environmental reviews have proven to make the community engagement process more accessible, available, and transparent to all stakeholders, especially the communities in which new projects are built; (3) establishing robust data architectures will ensure data integrity, improve transparency, reduce costs, and enhance the ability of the Federal Government to serve the public; (4) Federal agency use of modern software that can track the full lifecycle of environmental reviews and authorizations is critical for-- (A) effective project management and process improvement; (B) enabling workflow automation, transparency, and tracking; and (C) simplifying reporting requirements; (5) modern business process management systems that track Federal agency workflows and produce vendor neutral, interoperable event, task, and other milestone data that can be shared with other Federal agency systems can reduce costs and improve performance for Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews and authorizations; (6) case and project management systems-- (A) are essential tools for managing the tasks and activities associated with environmental reviews and authorizations; and (B) provide Federal agencies more data and insight into such environmental reviews and authorizations; (7) well-defined business rules can enable process automation that allows Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations to expedite routine tasks and workflows, and improve transparency and accuracy of project timeline estimates, which in turn can help project sponsors better plan for application preparation and project delivery milestones; (8) taking a standardized, digital-first perspective to environmental reviews and authorizations at Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations will improve document quality, lead to more concise reports, enable the reuse and accessibility of the data underpinning Federal agency analyses and decisions, and enable objective, technology-assisted evaluation of environmental impacts, analysis, and documentation, and accelerate future environmental reviews and authorizations; (9) Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations, project sponsors, and the public should have access to up-to-date information on accurate timelines and the status of environmental reviews and authorizations; and (10) allowing for seamless information exchange among Federal agencies and between Federal agencies and project sponsors will increase predictability and efficiency of environmental review and authorization schedules for project sponsors.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S3822-S3824] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6617. Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Curtis) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following: SEC. 1__. EPERMIT ACT.”