1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I write as a constituent and as someone who has closely followed the debate over permitting reform to urge you to support and advance the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA) during the current lame-duck session. This is a rare bipartisan opportunity to modernize federal permitting, unlock critical energy and infrastructure projects, lower costs for American families and manufacturers, create good jobs, and accelerate both clean energy deployment and grid reliability. Evidence from recent reporting, analyses, and stakeholder statements makes the case clear: • Strong and growing union support. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has endorsed BAAJA, stating it “will unlock development across the energy industry.” Prominent unions including the Teamsters and NABTU (the AFL-CIO building trades umbrella) have also backed the bill. Senator Whitehouse has publicly noted that the permitting bill “keeps winning union support” and will help “build things again in this country and create good, family-supporting jobs.” • Economic and jobs benefits. Employ America estimates BAAJA could produce up to 105,600 jobs in manufacturing, construction, and related industrial sectors by encouraging new generation facilities and transmission lines while helping reduce energy prices. A new National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) analysis shows America’s broken permitting process currently costs manufacturers more than $12 billion annually; BAAJA would deliver measurable savings and greater certainty for investment. • Broad public support. A Third Way Energy poll found 79% of respondents support BAAJA after an initial description of the legislation, demonstrating that voters want permitting reform. • Timely bipartisan momentum and leadership commitment. Senator Heinrich, who will chair the Energy and Natural Resources Committee next year, has committed to passing permitting reform in the lame duck, noting that the window does not necessarily get easier later. The bill modernizes reviews, shortens timelines, improves transmission planning and siting authority, and provides greater permit certainty without eliminating environmental standards or public participation. BAAJA is technology-neutral in its process reforms and particularly strong on transmission—the backbone needed to connect renewables, improve reliability, and lower costs. Delaying action risks losing this bipartisan window. The filibuster and other procedural hurdles will not disappear in January; the practical opportunity to enact meaningful reform is now. I respectfully urge you to vote for BAAJA, work with colleagues to move it through both chambers in the lame duck (including considering House passage on suspension if necessary), and help deliver tangible progress on affordability, jobs, emissions reductions, and the ability to build essential infrastructure faster.