Cortez Masto Statement on Permitting Reform Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement calling to strike the Tribal provisions from the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA). The Senator will vote to proceed to debate on the bill but is demanding the changes to the National Historic Preservation Act (Title III of the BAAJA) are eliminated before final passage. “I’ve been calling for permitting reform for years. The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act will lower energy costs, make much-needed upgrades to our electrical grid, and hold data centers accountable. It also includes language I drafted to support our critical mineral and clean energy industries. Clean, reliable electricity in this country should be cheap and accessible – and permitting reform is the best way to deliver for the American people. “But I cannot ignore the concerns that Tribes in Nevada have with this bill text. The changes to the National Historic Preservation Act were made without their input, and these changes violate the federal government’s responsibility to engage in government-to-government Tribal consultation. That’s why I’m demanding to strike this section from the bill. “If Title III stays in this bill, I will not vote for final passage.” ###