Yesterday the Senate voted 73-25 to advance and open debate on the legislative vehicle for the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA, S. 5653). The vote was opposed by 24 Democrats and 1 Republican. Preservation Action is dismayed by this vote. We remain committed to fighting this harmful legislation and defending the National Historic Preservation Act.
While this vote is a setback, the process is far from over. The vote allows for the bill to be debated and amended, but it is not the final vote. In fact some Senators may vote to open to debate, but still end up opposing the final bill. Our fight continues!
Ahead of vote, Preservation Action joined hundreds of advocates for the 106 Strong Coalition Rally outside the capitol, who made their opposition to this harmful bill known. We appreciate the work of the coalition in organizing the rally and all of those that showed up and spoke out.
We need you to keep up your advocacy! A final Senate vote could come as soon as next week and Congress needs to continue to hear from you.
Reach out to your Senators and Representatives and tell them to oppose the bill! Or encourage them to pass an amendment to completely strike the Title III historic preservation provisions. Check out our action alert to see phone scripts, send emails to your members of Congress, and learn more about this harmful bill.
We also encourage you to be sure to thank those 25 Senators that stood up and voted against this harmful permitting bill and encourage them to talk to their colleagues about their concern.
Senators who voted NO on the motion to proceed to BAAJA:
- Alsobrooks (D-MD)
- Baldwin (D-WI)
- Bennet (D-CO)
- Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
- Booker (D-NJ)
- Cantwell (D-WA)
- Duckworth (D-IL)
- Durbin (D-IL)
- Hassan (D-NH)
- Hirono (D-HI)
- Kaine (D-VA)
- Kelly (D-AZ)
- Lujan (D-NM)
- Markey (D-MA)
- Merkley (D-OR)
- Murray (D-WA)
- Padilla (D-CA)
- Rounds (R-SD)
- Sanders (I-VT)
- Schiff (D-CA)
- Smith (D-MN)
- Van Hollen (D-MD)
- Warren (D-MA)
- Welch (D-VT)
- Wyden (D-OR)