The US Senate on Monday advanced bipartisan legislation, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (Baaja), which seeks to expedite permitting reviews for infrastructure projects. Senators voted 73-25 on a cloture motion, moving the bill forward for debate, though it did not result in its passage.
The proposed legislation aims to simplify federal rules and shorten timelines for building large infrastructure projects across America. This includes developments ranging from fossil fuel pipelines to transmission lines for clean energy, as well as datacenters.
However, the bill has drawn opposition from several environmental and tribal advocacy groups, including Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and the ACLU. Critics argue that Baaja would weaken environmental laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (Nepa), and could accelerate the construction of gas pipelines and ICE detention centers. Indigenous groups have also expressed concerns that the bill would diminish the federal government's obligation to consult tribes on projects affecting them.
Proponents of Baaja, including its Democratic sponsors Senators Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse, contend the bill is necessary to address delays in project construction. They believe it would create a more competitive environment for clean energy, with Heinrich stating, "clean is cheap, and cheap wins in the marketplace."