1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

As a constituent in your state, I am writing to urge you to vote no on S. 5653, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA). While modernizing our electric grid and expanding clean energy transmission are critical goals, this legislation achieves them at an unacceptable cost to our environment, Tribal sovereignty, and public accountability. As currently written, S. 5653 undermines foundational safeguards in several deeply concerning ways:Weakens Bedrock Environmental Protections: The bill significantly rolls back oversight under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Expanding general permitting exemptions for dredging and filling wetlands and handing public lands over to mining and fossil fuel extraction with minimal review puts local ecosystems and clean water at serious risk. Silences Communities and Tribal Nations: By imposing rigid review timelines, restricting public comment periods, and curtailing Section 106 consultations under the National Historic Preservation Act, the bill sidelines Tribal governments and local residents from decisions affecting their sacred sites, land, and health. Eliminates Accountability for Harmful Projects: The bill’s "permit certainty" provisions lock in federal approvals—barring agencies from revoking or modifying permits even when new environmental or public health harms are discovered, and preventing courts from halting projects found to have violated the law. Permitting reform should accelerate clean, sustainable infrastructure without stripping away the public’s voice or gutting essential environmental protections. I respectfully ask that you oppose S. 5653 and insist on targeted transmission reforms that protect our communities, public lands, and natural resources. Thank you for your time and for representing our state.