"The House passed a bill on Thursday that supporters say will speed up permitting decisions for water-storage projects such as dams and reservoirs in drought-stricken areas of the United States.

GOP supporters of the bill say it's a necessary step toward alleviating droughts and overhauling the federal permitting process.

But most Democrats opposed the legislation, calling it a 'sham infrastructure bill' that takes aim at federal environmental rules.  

The legislation, from Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), passed on a 233-180 vote."

Devin Henry reports for The Hill June 22, 2017. [2]