Capito, Lee, Whitehouse, and Heinrich Release Substitute Amendment to Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee; Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee; and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the ENR Committee, released a substitute amendment to the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA). The substitute amendment includes clarifying, conforming, and technical edits to reflect feedback received since BAAJA’s introduction in September.

“This substitute amendment preserves the foundation of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, while making targeted changes based on feedback from our members and stakeholders to further build support. I’m thankful for my colleagues’ efforts to strengthen this legislation, the contributions from members of the House, and the support of countless organizations from across the country. I urge the swift passage of BAAJA to make life more affordable for American families,” EPW Committee Chairman Capito said.

“We have spent months working across party lines on both sides of Capitol Hill and with President Trump to deliver permitting reform that makes it easier to build in America. This substitute amendment reflects that work and brings us closer to getting the job done. Our permitting system takes too long, costs too much, and leaves too much uncertainty for the people trying to build what our country needs. We have an opportunity to lower costs for American families, and get America building again. It’s time to finish what we started,” ENR Committee Chairman Lee said.

“I’m grateful for the input throughout this process from Senate and House colleagues, environmental and labor organizations, and Tribal leaders. Our manager’s amendment improves BAAJA and addresses the thoughtful feedback we have received. Now’s it’s time to pass this bill so we can lower costs, juice the clean energy economy, build big things again in America, reduce pollution, and create tons of new well-paying union jobs,” EPW Committee Ranking Member Whitehouse said.

“I’ve worked hard to incorporate the feedback we’ve heard from Tribes and New Mexicans into this Substitute Amendment, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in releasing it today. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will help lower energy costs, strengthen Tribal consultation, and create more good-paying jobs. It also makes sure data centers pay for the energy they use and the grid upgrades they cause, instead of passing those costs on to New Mexico families. Americans can’t afford to wait for lower electricity prices. We need to pass this bill now,” ENR Committee Ranking Member Heinrich said.

Text of the amendment is available here.

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