Oklahoma Sen. Alan Armstrong promoted a provision in a bipartisan permitting reform bill that would streamline pipeline reviews for his former employer, Williams, according to an investigation by Inside Climate News.

The permitting bill that the U.S. Senate could vote on next week would make it easier for companies to get approvals for all kinds of energy projects, including fossil fuel pipelines. This includes Williams’ Constitution Pipeline, a long-delayed natural gas line from northeastern Pennsylvania to Albany, New York.

Williams canceled the project in 2020 after New York regulators denied a water quality permit for the pipeline, among other legal and regulatory challenges. The permitting reform bill the Senate is considering would make it harder for states to deny such permits to pipeline companies, according to Inside Climate News.

Williams revived the project in late 2025, with the Trump Administration last month saying it would use up to $42 million in taxpayer funds via the Defense Production Act to support the project.

As of Oct. 22, Armstrong, Williams’ former executive chairman who was appointed to the senate in March to fill a vacancy, held tens of millions of dollars in Williams stock, Inside Climate reported. Armstrong also hired three former Williams colleagues to his staff, including a temporary chief of staff who continued working for and drawing a salary from Williams, the outlet reported.