Eighty percent of manufacturers say permitting rules hurt investment. This is a stark number from the National Association of Manufacturers. It shows that red tape is still a major barrier.

The Trump administration recently cut power plant emissions standards. This move drew praise from industry leaders. Jay Timmons is the CEO of the NAM.

He told Fox News this was a game changer. He said it sent a clear signal to makers. The administration is listening to their concerns.

Timmons hailed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for this step. But he warned that more work remains. There is still too much red tape to cut.

The Biden administration had proposed strict standards. Timmons called those rules simply unworkable. He said the timeline was not feasible.

He noted that cleaner air is a good goal. Everyone shares that aspiration for health. The problem is how to get there.

Manufacturers need practical paths to success. The old rules ignored those realities. Now the rules are gone by executive action.

But Timmons wants lasting change through Congress. He fears regulatory whiplash between administrations. Uncertainty is the worst enemy for makers.

They plan on very long-term horizons. They need stability for product development. Research needs a steady hand to guide it.

Permitting is another big area for reform. NAM polling found deep frustration here. Eighty percent of manufacturers blame the process.

They say it is too long and complex. This complexity blocks new investment in the US. Even more data points to missed opportunities.

As many as 87% of manufacturers want to grow. They would expand operations if rules eased. They would hire more workers too.

Higher wages are also on the table. Better benefits could follow streamlined permits. Timmons said Congress must hear from makers.

Business needs a seat at the table. They can explain what is possible. No one argues against cleaner air or water.

Timmons says manufacturers want to help. They want to be part of the solution. But they need realistic targets to hit.

The current shift is a good start. It removes a heavy burden from plants. Yet the permitting process remains a hurdle.

It drags down economic growth and jobs. Timmons urges lawmakers to act on this. He wants Congress to cut the rest.

This would secure gains for the economy. It would also protect future investments. The path forward requires legislative action.

Executive orders can be reversed easily. Laws provide a stronger shield against change. Manufacturers are ready to invest more.

They are ready to hire more people. They just need the rules to clear. The money trail leads to wasted potential.

Streamlined permits unlock that potential. The choice is clear for policymakers. Cut the tape or lose the growth.

The data speaks for itself here. Eighty percent is a majority that matters. Eighty-seven percent is even more significant.

These numbers show a clear demand. The demand is for less government friction. The demand is for more economic freedom.

The next step belongs to Congress. They hold the power to lock it in. This is the plain English reality.

The rules matter for every job. They matter for every dollar spent. The window for action is open now.

The facts are laid out clearly. The path is visible to all. The decision rests with leaders.

The evidence is on the table. The time to act is today. The stakes are high for workers.

The stakes are high for makers. The answer lies in reform. The reform must be permanent.

The reform must be real. The reform must be now.