Senate Bill Proposes Permitting Reforms and Federal Environmental Law Changes

United States lawmakers introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, designated S. 5653, on September 30, 2026, according to Every CRS Report. The legislation contains seven titles split across two main divisions. [1]

Every CRS Report detailed that Division A, Title I focuses on reforming federal permitting and environmental review processes. These reforms target existing legislation including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, while introducing new guidelines for project certainty and judicial review. [1]

Division B of the bill introduces updates to the National Historic Preservation Act, according to Every CRS Report. It also includes specific measures aimed at expediting targeted energy and infrastructure projects, such as electricity transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, and geothermal energy development. [1]

Separate reporting by Employ America indicates that an analysis shows the legislation could create up to 105,600 industrial jobs. The National Environmental Policy Act was originally passed by Congress in December 1969 and signed into law by President Richard Nixon on January 1, 1970, requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions. [4][8]