Yesterday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries raised concerns about key elements of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, also known as the Senate permitting reform bill.

In response, Brent Leggs, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, issued the following statement:

"We welcome House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ call for a more inclusive and constructive process to address concerns with the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (permitting reform). Legislation of this significance deserves meaningful input from both chambers of Congress and the communities most affected by its provisions.

As we have made clear from the start, we oppose the legislation in its current form—in particular, the Historic Preservation Title—which would fundamentally weaken the National Historic Preservation Act and undermine the Section 106 consultation process. These longstanding protections are not simply procedural hurdles; they provide an essential framework for identifying historic and cultural resources, engaging Tribal Nations and local communities, and finding solutions that allow important projects to move forward while respecting our nation's shared heritage.

We believe federal permitting can be more efficient, predictable, and effective. However, meaningful permitting reform must not come at the expense of the laws and protections that safeguard our nation’s historic places, honor Tribal sovereignty, and ensure that communities have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their future.

We thank Leader Jeffries for his support of a more deliberative process—a future permitting reform bill that advances responsible development and economic opportunity without sacrificing the historic, cultural, and community resources that make our nation stronger. We support a legislative process that carefully considers the perspectives of the many constituencies, communities, and stakeholders who will be affected by this legislation, and that works toward a permitting framework that serves the public interest while protecting our nation's historic and cultural heritage."