1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to urge you to reject the American Affordability and Jobs Act and its harmful changes to bedrock environmental safeguards. The bill would make major changes to the Endangered Species Act, including allowing qualifying states to assume responsibility for federal Section 7 consultations, shortening consultation timelines, and writing a new definition into law for the Act's crucial “best scientific and commercial data available” standard. It would also change how challenges to certain Endangered Species Act decisions are brought and reviewed. But endangered species protections are not the only safeguards at stake. The legislation would also restrict aspects of state and Tribal roles in water-quality certifications under the Clean Water Act, narrow which projects are subject to federal environmental review, and make it harder in some circumstances for communities and conservation groups to challenge government decisions in court. I support expanding clean-energy and infrastructure capacity. But permitting reform should not come at the expense of wildlife, clean water, habitat, meaningful environmental review, or communities' ability to hold government agencies accountable. Please reject the American Affordability and Jobs Act and pursue permitting reforms that preserve strong environmental protections. Thank you for considering my views.