1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I ask you to VOTE NO on S.5653, the Senate Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.  S. 5653 breaks trust with Indian Tribes and excludes non-federally recognized tribes from consulting under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.  It violates the foundational public participation principles of the NHPA and silences the voice of Californians in federal decision making.  This bill doesn’t streamline; it sidelines the public.  It represents federal overreach and violates states and sovereign Indian tribes’ rights with the increase in federal oversight of State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.  It narrows the scope of environmental review and introduces rigid statutory deadlines that will truncate collaborative planning and lead to the permanent loss of significant historic properties. A NO vote is essential for the survival of our national heritage!