AXPC Praises Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee for Advancing License to Drill Act with Bipartisan Support, Urges Swift Senate Passage 

July 29, 2026 

Washington, D.C. – The American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC) today praised the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee for passing the License to Drill Act out of committee with broad bipartisan support. The bill, sponsored by Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) in the Senate and Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-UT) in the House, reauthorizes the Permit Processing Improvement Fund, an essential program that collects fees on Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) on federal lands and uses the proceeds to fund permitting processing by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field staff. 

The committee vote follows House passage of the bill in June 2026 and record-setting BLM lease sales that generated more than $4.1 billion in the second quarter, demonstrating the pivotal role federal lands are positioned to play in strengthening America’s energy independence, securing energy affordability, and supporting state and local services.  

Anne Bradbury, AXPC CEO, said: 

“At a time when investment in federal lands is reaching historic levels, ensuring BLM has the resources needed to process permits efficiently is critical to securing energy affordability. AXPC commends Chairman Lee and the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee for advancing the License to Drill Act and taking an important step towards increasing permitting certainty on federal lands. We urge the Senate to swiftly pass this critical legislation and send it to the President’s desk.”