UA Strongly Supports Bipartisan Permitting Reform Legislation

United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) General President Mark McManus issued the following statement today after Senate leaders unveiled the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026:

“In our industry, uncertainty means one thing: unemployment. It is long past time that Congress enacts meaningful permitting reform to put UA members to work faster delivering reliable and affordable energy to American communities. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a long process to reach a bipartisan deal and take a critical step towards a long-overdue modernization of our country’s permitting process. This bipartisan legislation, led by Chairs Lee and Capito and Ranking Members Heinrich and Whitehouse, will increase project certainty, streamline federal review timelines, and create thousands of good-paying jobs – all while maintaining reasonable environmental safeguards and opportunities for public input. The UA looks forward to continuing our work with members of both parties in the Senate to advance this critical legislation and with all members in the House to ultimately pass it into law.”