Yesterday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries made public his opposition to the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA, S. 5653), “raising concerns about the legislation’s proposed changes to bedrock environmental laws and protections for Tribal sovereignty.” Despite Democrats gaining strong majorities in both chambers of Congress beginning in 2027, Sen. Heinrich and other bill sponsors have refused to delay a Senate vote on the bill currently scheduled for Monday, Nov. 9. A manager’s amendment to the 417-page bill is expected to be released Nov. 8, giving senators less than 24 hours to understand what they are voting on.
“We’re grateful Leader Jeffries made a wise move to listen to the full range of interests in the Democratic caucus, avoid a bloody factional fight mere days after a historic political victory, and not hand President Trump a policy win he would weaponize to harm public lands, waters and wildlife, and communities in the western U.S.,” said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center. “We hope Leader Schumer does the same. There is a constructive conversation to be had in the 120th Congress to build out renewables infrastructure and deliver on the promise of affordability, while respecting people and place. That conversation should proceed through regular order to bring new ideas to the table and ensure that all voices are heard.”
BAAJA would enact the most severe environmental and community protection rollback in American history, affecting Tribal sovereignty, the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Read our analysis here.These rollbacks would fast-track an array of Trump’s vanity projects such as the “triumphal arch” and White House “ballroom,” remove barriers to unwanted, cruel, and wasteful immigrant detention centers, and supercharge the buildout of AI data centers over community opposition.
A coalition of 29 groups in Sen. Heinrich’s home state of New Mexico with diverse focus areas including Indigenous, faith, children’s wellbeing, clean water, conservation, climate, and community issues sent him a letter opposing the bill last week.
Contacts:
Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Western Environmental Law Center, 575-751-0351, eriksg@westernlaw.org
Marlyn Twitchell, Western Environmental Law Center, 541-485-2471, ext. 144, twitchell@westernlaw.org
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