Senate votes on bill to speed up projects from gas pipelines to clean energy
Summary
The Senate is scheduled to hold an initial procedural vote on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a bill intended to speed construction of major infrastructure projects, including pipelines and clean-energy transmission lines. Supporters say it would shorten permitting delays, while environmental and tribal groups oppose provisions they say would weaken protections and consultation requirements.Key Facts
- The 417-page bill is sponsored by two Republican senators and two Democratic senators.
- President Donald Trump urged senators to vote for the bill.
- The bill would change federal reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and other laws, and limit some uses of the Clean Water Act.
- The legislation would simplify rules for interstate transmission lines and shorten some project review timelines.
- Earthjustice, the Sierra Club and the ACLU oppose the bill, citing weakened environmental protections and faster pipeline construction.
- Indigenous groups have called for senators to reject the bill, raising concerns about limits on federal consultation with tribes.
- Democratic sponsors Martin Heinrich and Sheldon Whitehouse said they had the votes to pass the bill and had made last-minute changes on tribal consultation.
- House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the bill needed further work and that he would not approve it without more involvement from his caucus.
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