Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Democratic Gains Put Bipartisan Energy Permitting Bill in Doubt
The Senate is due to vote Monday on whether to begin debate on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.
The bill would make it easier to build energy projects, including both clean energy and fossil fuel infrastructure.
Supporters say faster construction could bring new energy supplies online and lower consumer costs, while critics say the bill would weaken several environmental and historic preservation laws.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries opposes the bill in its current form, and some Democrats and environmental groups have raised similar concerns.
Democratic election wins have weakened the bill's prospects, though Republicans will control Congress during the lame-duck session before Democrats take majorities in January.
The vote will show whether the legislation can advance, but observers cited in the coverage see little chance it will pass by the end of the year.
Democrats’ midterm election gains have raised doubts about whether a bipartisan energy permitting bill can advance in the Senate.
The Senate is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to begin debate on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Thursday that he opposed the bill in its current form.
Business groups tied to renewable energy and fossil fuels support the measure, saying it could reduce energy costs by bringing new supplies online.
Critics say the bill could weaken several environmental and historic preservation laws.
- Who
- The bill is sponsored by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, Martin Heinrich, Mike Lee and Sheldon Whitehouse.
- What
- The Senate is scheduled to vote on whether to begin debate on a bill to ease regulatory barriers to energy projects.
- When
- The vote is scheduled for Monday; the sources do not state the date.
- Where
- The U.S. Senate.
- Why
- Supporters say the bill could bring new energy supplies online and reduce consumer costs. Critics are concerned it would weaken environmental and historic preservation laws.
Business groups supporting the bill
Democrats and environmental groups opposing the bill
Potential effects
Business groups supporting the bill
Supporters say the measure could reduce consumer energy costs by bringing new supplies online.
Democrats and environmental groups opposing the bill
Critics say it could weaken federal environmental and historic preservation laws.
Projects and protections
Business groups supporting the bill
Supporters back easing regulatory barriers to energy projects.
Democrats and environmental groups opposing the bill
Opponents have raised concerns about the effects on environmental protections and public lands.
The bill’s Senate co-sponsors announced the measure at a press conference.
Democratic gains changed the political landscape for the bill, according to Chris Moyer.
Hakeem Jeffries said he opposed the bill in its current form.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on whether to begin debate on the bill.
- Bill name
- Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA)
- Senate co-sponsors
- Shelley Moore Capito, Martin Heinrich, Mike Lee and Sheldon Whitehouse
- Scheduled Senate vote
- Monday; vote on whether to begin debate
- Affected laws
- Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act
2 sources
What people are saying
The numbers we’re looking at in the House and Senate are just massive and Democrats will have a ton of leverage
In a situation where one side has won a tremendous landslide, they are usually not set to do a lot of lame-duck production
With something like permitting reform, the Democrats might rightly say that they’d like to negotiate their own version of it