Shelley Capito (R-WV)
Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 makes major changes to federal environmental review and permitting processes across multiple agencies. It sets strict deadlines for environmental reviews, streamlines procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act, and establishes digital systems to track project permits. The legislation also modifies requirements and judicial review timelines under the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and federal energy and transmission laws. Furthermore, the bill allows states to assume certain federal consultation responsibilities and enacts measures to protect electricity consumers from certain rate increases. Finally, it limits legal challenges against permits and authorizes funding for historic preservation and various permitting funds.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill streamlines environmental reviews and energy permitting processes, which is likely to accelerate infrastructure construction and create jobs.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to grow the economy?
By reducing bureaucratic delays in permitting for energy, transmission, and infrastructure projects, the legislation is expected to foster economic growth.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners and project sponsors benefit from streamlined permitting, stricter review timelines, and limitations on legal challenges.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Faster Project Approvals: Sections 1106 and 2201 establish strict legal deadlines for federal agencies to complete environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and make decisions on project authorizations. These provisions benefit project sponsors and workers by reducing bureaucratic delays and speeding up the delivery of infrastructure and energy projects.
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Consumer Rate Protections: Sections 2107 and 2108 protect everyday electricity ratepayers from unfair cost burdens by ensuring that high-density computing loads, data centers, and specific market participants cover the full incremental costs of the transmission and generation services they require.
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State Flexibility and Tribal Empowerment: Sections 1304 and 2212 provide pathways for states and Indian tribes to assume certain federal responsibilities regarding wildlife consultations and rights-of-way across tribal lands. These sections benefit local communities by giving them more direct control over decision-making processes within their borders.
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Permitting Transparency: Section 1132 requires the creation of an online "Environmental Review and Permitting Tracker" to maintain up-to-date information on major projects. This benefits the public by increasing transparency and allowing citizens to easily monitor the status of federal reviews and authorizations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restricted Access to Judicial Review: Sections 1110, 1205, and 2201 impose tight statutes of limitations (such as 150 days) on filing legal claims and restrict who may file lawsuits against permits. These provisions could negatively impact individuals and community groups by making it harder to challenge agency decisions in court if they believe environmental or procedural laws were violated.
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Curtailed Public Input and Agency Diligence: Sections 1106 and 2301 set strict timelines that bar agencies from considering new scientific or technical research that becomes available after a notice of intent is published. This could burden the public and environment by forcing agencies to make decisions based on outdated information without fully evaluating newly discovered risks.
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Financial Relief Limitations for Plaintiffs: Section 1401 and 1402 limit the types of remedies courts can issue when federal agencies unlawfully interfere with or revoke existing permits, restricting relief primarily to remands without vacatur. This may leave individuals or local communities with fewer legal remedies to stop harmful federal actions once a project authorization has been granted.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill streamlines environmental reviews and energy permitting processes, which is likely to accelerate infrastructure construction and create jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By reducing bureaucratic delays in permitting for energy, transmission, and infrastructure projects, the legislation is expected to foster economic growth. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill reduces permitting burdens and uncertainties that often disproportionately affect smaller project developers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill includes dedicated provisions to accelerate the permitting of renewable energy projects on public lands. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill streamlines transmission and energy infrastructure siting that often impacts rural communities. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The legislation facilitates the permitting of renewable energy projects and transmission lines necessary for clean energy integration.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners and project sponsors benefit from streamlined permitting, stricter review timelines, and limitations on legal challenges. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill takes into account landowner and farmer input regarding transmission lines and provides structured notice requirements.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates the creation of online permitting trackers and digital systems to increase transparency in environmental reviews.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Mike LeeRepublican · Utah
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island