Progressive Caucus announces opposition to permitting bill over environmental law reforms

The Congressional Progressive Caucus formally announced its opposition to the bipartisan permitting bill intended to make it easier to build energy, transmission, and other infrastructure projects across the country.The caucus, which represents nearly 100 members of the House and one in the Senate, is opposing the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act over its overhaul of bedrock environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.If passed as written, the progressive lawmakers warned, the bill would mean that “the public would lose key tools used to protect the environment and hold the administration accountable against ICE detention centers, Trump vanity projects, and more.” The caucus acknowledged that the legislation, BAAJA, includes important policies the group has advocated, such as stronger federal authority to approve transmission lines, which would accelerate the deployment of clean energy resources.However, that does not outweigh provisions the members said would “undermine Tribal sovereignty” and overhaul the environmental laws.The progressive Democrats also pointed out that support for the legislation relies on “an informal agreement” with President Donald Trump to fairly implement the permitting reforms and not block wind power projects, essentially ending the administration’s “illegal blockade on clean energy.”They pointed to the fact that just this week, Trump said he would not permit any new wind turbines, calling the renewable energy resource “losers.”“The CPC’s official position is consistent with Democratic Leader Jeffries’ recent statement that the legislation ‘falls short in several areas’ and that he ‘will not rubber-stamp legislation that emerges from the Senate without more constructive involvement with our Caucus as we fight to make life more affordable for the American people,’” the caucus said.Their opposition is further evidence that legislation faces an uphill battle to pass in the House, as many members are calling for negotiations to be delayed until the next Congress, when Democrats have a majority in both chambers.While the legislation is broadly supported by most Republicans in both chambers, there is a clear divide within the Democratic Party.BAAJA has the backing of climate and tribal advocates Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), both of whom were directly involved in the negotiations for the original text and subsequent amendment released last weekend.Twenty other Democrats also voted in favor of invoking cloture for the legislation on Monday evening, advancing the bill toward a final vote. However, several of those who cast an “aye” vote have clarified that they are not yet committing to supporting the bill for final passage.About 19 Democratic senators have since introduced a new amendment to the bill, aligning closely with the concerns outlined by the Progressive Caucus. The amendment, led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), would strike BAAJA’s changes to the National Historic Preservation Act, according to Politico.THE 24 DEMOCRATS AND ONE REPUBLICAN WHO VOTED AGAINST ADVANCING THE SENATE PERMITTING BILLIt’s unlikely that the amendment will be adopted, however.“I don’t think we can land the bill with Republicans if we completely strip it out,” Heinrich told Punchbowl.