NAACP Pushes Back as Senate Advances Fast-Track Permitting Bill

WASHINGTON (AURN News) — The Senate voted 73-25 Monday to advance the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, known as BAAJA.

The bill, backed by President Donald Trump and written by two Democratic and two Republican senators, is a priority for the lame-duck session. The bill would speed up federal permitting for data centers, pipelines, power plants and mining projects.

Supporters say the bill would create more than 100,000 jobs and require data centers to cover an estimated $55 billion in grid and energy costs over the next decade instead of passing those costs on to utility customers.

But the NAACP says faster permitting could put Black communities already exposed to high levels of pollution at greater risk.

“Naming a piece of proposed legislation ‘Bipartisan’ doesn’t actually make it good for the American people,” said Abre’ Conner, the NAACP’s director of environmental and climate justice, in a statement. Conner warned that the bill would put communities’ health in the hands of billionaires.

Environmental and conservation groups also urged senators to reject the bill, warning that it would weaken environmental protections and undermine tribal sovereignty.

Monday’s procedural vote cleared the way for Senate consideration. If the Senate passes the permitting proposal, the House would have to approve the same text before it could go to the president.

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