WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BAAJA
Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (Senate bill # 5653) was introduced to the Senate on September 30, 2026 by Senator Whitehouse, Democrat from Rhode Island, Senator Heinrich, Democrat from New Mexico, Shelley Moore Capito, Republican from West Virginia, and Mike Lee, Republican from Utah. This so-called bipartisan bill claims to streamline the processes by which companies receive approval for energy infrastructure projects to be “applicable to all forms of energy development,” including fossil fuel pipelines, as well as solar panels and wind turbines. This streamlining, however, involves bypassing some of the most important environmental and public health protections we have in this country.

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BAAJA WOULD:

• Weaken Bedrock Laws: The bill rolls back or restricts protections under major environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

• Lock in Fossil Fuels and Mining: It fast-tracks oil, gas, and mining projects on public and private-federal subsurface lands, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and locking in fossil fuel infrastructure for decades.

• Support AI Data Centers: The legislation speeds up permitting for massive AI data centers and the heavy, polluting fossil fuel and energy infrastructure required to power them.

• Limit Public Input and Legal Recourse: It restricts community ability to speak out against polluting projects, shortens deadlines for legal challenges, limits judicial remedies to stop harmful construction, and shields federal approvals from being reversed.

On November 9th the Senate voted to move forward with the “Bipartisan American Affordability & Jobs Act” or BAAJA, in the face of growing opposition. It will now proceed to debate on any amendments to the bill, before a final vote.