November 9 Leg Act News
Leg Act News Highlights
Bipartisan Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA)
This week's Leg Act News discusses the Senate's consideration of the Bipartisan Affordability and Jobs Act (S.5653). For further information on BAAJA, see “A Hard Look At What’s Happening in the 400 Page Permitting Reform Bill.”
Supporters argue the bill could:
Speed up energy and infrastructure projects.
Benefit wind and solar development.
Require data centers to pay for needed grid upgrades.
Critics argue the bill would:
Weaken environmental protections.
Reduce historic preservation and public input requirements.
Limit Tribal Nation consultation.
Expand presidential discretion and make harmful project approvals harder to reverse.
The article highlights opposition from environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and urges readers to contact Senators regarding the bill.
Notables
What Democrats Can Accomplish While Trump Is President
Marita discusses the political situation following the 2026 elections. She explains that Democrats may be able to:
Pass legislation through Congress.
Conduct investigations of the administration.
Demand documents and testimony from officials.
Delay or block presidential appointments and nominations.
The article also notes major constraints:
Presidential veto power.
Filibuster requirements in the Senate.
The high vote thresholds needed to override vetoes or remove a president from office.
Democrats should"watch, expose, and block" administration actions even when legislation cannot become law.
Action Items & Events
Call Senators Gillibrand at 202-224-4451 and Schumer at 202-224-6542, urging them to oppose the Bipartisan Affordability and Jobs Act unless the following provisions are included:
Urge them to remove or amend taxpayer-funded payouts to developers and limits on courts’ ability to stop unlawful projects and cuts to the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act.
Oppose giveaways of public lands to mining and drilling companies.
Oppose provisions that lock in permits even when they are unlawful.
Finally, oppose rollbacks to Section 106 historic preservation review and Tribal consultation. Tell them we approve of companies paying their own costs for grid and water upgrades.
Note: To email your representatives, go to each website. Use the contact page and write these concerns.
General Meeting of the Tioga County Democratic Committee. November 17, 2026, 6:30 p.m. social time and 7 p.m. meeting.
Lights on the River - Owego Friday, Dec 4th. We will need help setting up the tent and having children write letters to Santa. More to follow!
