Ready. Set.
Let’s Build.
Unlocking America’s Potential Through Permitting Reform
New bipartisan legislation aims to deliver the permitting reform America needs
Business Roundtable strongly supports the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026. This vital legislation would create a faster, more durable permitting process that gives businesses the certainty they need to invest, build and grow.
The federal permitting system for major infrastructure projects is an overly complex, time-consuming process that hinders investment, innovation, economic growth and job creation.
4–5
years
Average time for federal project reviews
Redundant
reviews
Multiple agencies, overlapping processes
Over
650
Major infrastructure projects on hold
$1.8
trillion
Investment stuck in permitting backlog
24–30%
higher costs
Associated with permitting delays
The Problem
Matt Sonnesyn, Senior Vice President for Policy at Business Roundtable, moderated a panel, titled “Industry Insights on the Permitting Process,” at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Permitting Summit 2026: Building America’s Energy Infrastructure.
The Opportunity
Modernizing the permitting process would lower costs, streamline projects and create more American jobs.
$3 trillion+
Economic activity unlocked
38–54 million
Homes powered
640,000 new good-paying jobs
In multiple sectors across the country
Global competitiveness
Faster approvals will help the U.S. lead in energy, technology and manufacturing
$350 billion
In savings from lower electricity costs
About the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs ActBusiness Roundtable encourages policymakers to enact the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, which would:
Unlock energy supply to help address rising prices by establishing uniform requirements for all types of energy projects.
Create more jobs and investment in American communities by establishing hard deadlines and predictable approvals that would support construction activity, employment and spending at local businesses.
Deliver transportation improvements across the country by building new infrastructure that could deliver 130 million passenger trips annually, expanding access to jobs and services.
Tackle the entire path from proposal to construction, changing which projects require federal review, how agencies conduct reviews, approval timelines, how and when decisions can be challenged, and ensuring completed permits remain dependable.
Send a message to your members of Congress today and urge them to support the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.
Take Action
Resources
DOWNLOAD
Permitting Reform: Enact the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act
DOWNLOAD
Modeling Study on Comprehensive Permitting Reform
VISITMcKinsey Study: Federal permitting’s uneven economic impact, and what companies can do about it
VISITMcKinsey Study: Unlocking U.S. federal permitting: A sustainable growth imperative
The Latest
ICYMI: Business Roundtable Calls on Senate to Advance Permitting Reform Before August Recess
July 23, 2026
ICYMI: Permitting Reform Takes Center Stage at Infrastructure Week Event
May 29, 2026
ICYMI: Permitting Reform Would Unlock Faster Building, Stronger Growth and Lower Costs
May 20, 2026
Bipartisan Permitting Reform Would Help America Build Faster
Apr 23, 2026
E-Flyer: Bipartisan Permitting Reform Would Unlock Domestic Investment and Infrastructure Projects
Feb 26, 2026
ICYMI: Business Roundtable at the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Permitting Summit 2026
Feb 12, 2026
ICYMI: Business Roundtable Smart Regulation Chair Urges Congress to Act on Permitting Reform at Senate EPW Hearing
Jan 29, 2026
E-Flyer: Energy Security Is National Security — And Permitting Reform Delivers
Jan 22, 2026
E-Flyer: 2026: The Year for Permitting Reform
Jan 8, 2026
ICYMI: Bechtel CEO, Members of Congress Say Permitting Reform Is Needed Now
Dec 19, 2025
Business Roundtable Supports Bipartisan SPEED Act, Urges Passage of Comprehensive Permitting Reforms
Dec 18, 2025
E-Flyer: Momentum for Permitting Reform Is Building
Dec 10, 2025
E-Flyer: Five Reasons Permitting Reform Is Urgently Needed
Nov 20, 2025
E-Flyer: Permitting Delays Stall Major Infrastructure Projects, U.S. Economic Growth
Nov 13, 2025
ICYMI: Eastman CEO Mark Costa Highlights Permitting Reform as Key to ‘Revitalizing American Manufacturing’
Oct 23, 2025
ICYMI: Business Roundtable Discusses Urgent Need for Permitting Reform on the “Power Sector” Podcast
Oct 15, 2025
Business Roundtable CEOs Release Roadmap to Revitalize American Manufacturing
Oct 14, 2025
ICYMI: Ready. Set. Let’s Build.
Sep 24, 2025
Business Roundtable Releases Report on Modernizing Outdated Permitting System, Calls for Comprehensive Bipartisan Reform
Sep 15, 2025
ICYMI: Business Roundtable CEOs Press for Permitting Reform at Senator McCormick’s Energy and Innovation Summit
Jul 24, 2025