On September 30, four senators introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653), or BAAJA. Sold as a way to speed up permitting, this sweeping legislation would do far more than streamline project approvals. It would weaken foundational environmental laws including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
BAAJA would narrow environmental review, undermine state and Tribal authority, restrict public participation, and make it harder to stop harmful projects, even when they violate environmental laws. It would also give corporations greater power to push projects forward with fewer safeguards, including fossil fuel development, mining, and data centers on public lands.
While the bill has some good provisions that are worth keeping, such as better transmission planning and making data centers pay their fair share, it shouldn’t come as a consequence to Idaho, making it harder for communities, states, and Tribal Nations to protect clean water, endangered salmon, public lands, and culturally significant places.
Here’s what BAAJA could mean for Idaho.
Wild Salmon, Steelhead, and Bull Trout
Idaho’s native fish depend on cold, clean water and healthy rivers. But BAAJA would weaken the Endangered Species Act, shorten review timelines, and compromise the use of the best available science in decisions affecting threatened and endangered species.
The bill would also allow the federal government to delegate some responsibilities for protecting endangered species to states, many of which lack the resources needed to take on that role. For Idaho’s salmon, steelhead, and bull trout, weakening these safeguards could make it harder to protect the habitat and river systems that they rely on. With wild salmon and steelhead already facing significant challenges across the Columbia and Snake River basins, Idaho cannot afford to weaken the laws designed to protect them.
Clean Water and the Snake River
Clean water is essential to Idaho’s communities, agriculture, recreation, and wildlife. BAAJA would weaken important protections under the Clean Water Act, including provisions that allow states and Tribal Nations to protect water quality from federally permitted projects.
BAAJA would make it much harder for states and Tribes to deny certification for projects that threaten water quality and would allow exemptions from Clean Water Act requirements. These changes could leave communities with fewer tools to protect the rivers and waterways they depend on. Idahoans should not have to sacrifice clean water to allow corporations to move projects forward.
Public Lands, Mining, and Climate
Idaho’s public lands are central to our way of life. They support wildlife, outdoor recreation, local economies, and the landscapes that make our state special. BAAJA would put these shared resources at risk by giving corporations greater power to move projects forward while limiting the public’s ability to weigh in.
This bill includes provisions that could fast-track oil and gas development, mining, logging, and other projects on public lands. It would also make it more difficult for federal agencies and courts to stop, change, suspend, or challenge projects, even when there are serious environmental concerns.
BAAJA could also accelerate fossil fuel development, and make it easier to build data centers, without meaningful environmental review. At a time when we need to reduce pollution and build a cleaner energy system, locking in harmful projects while weakening environmental safeguards is a step in the wrong direction.
Tribal Sovereignty and Cultural Resources
Idaho’s rivers, public lands, and waters hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for Tribal Nations. Protecting these places requires meaningful government-to-government consultation and respect for Tribal sovereignty.
BAAJA would weaken protections under the National Historic Preservation Act and limit Tribal Nations’ ability to participate in decisions affecting cultural resources and sacred sites. The bill would give the federal government greater say over how historic sites are identified and protected, and restrict Tribes’ ability to challenge harmful decisions in court. Tribal Nations must have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their lands, water, cultural resources, and treaty-protected interests.
Tell Congress to Oppose BAAJA
The Senate is scheduled to vote on BAAJA on November 9th. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to oppose BAAJA. Idahoans have the right to be heard, and faster permits should never mean fewer safeguards for our water, wildlife, public lands, or communities.
