Protect our Cultural Heritage. Once gone it is never coming back.

Congress is considering major changes to federal permitting laws through the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA), S. 5653. BAAJA would expedite federal permitting by amending laws including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5653 Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) is the official sponsor of S. 5653. She is supported by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

NATHPO supports efficient permitting, responsible infrastructure development, and effective federal decision-making but not at the expense of Tribal sovereignty, consultation, sacred places, or cultural heritage that Section 106 was enacted to protect.

NATHPO opposes BAAJA as written. Its changes would narrow Section 106, expand agency control, shorten consultation timelines, impose new THPO enforcement, and limit judicial review and remedies. NATHPO and other Tribal organizations urge Congress to withdraw the NHPA language and develop an alternative with Indian Country that ensures early, meaningful consultation and protects sovereignty and sacred places… (more)