Coalition of Retired Four-Star Military Leaders and Business Executives Make National Security Case for Permitting Reform
WASHINGTON, DC — SAFE’s Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC) sent a letter to congressional leadership urging passage of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 this year, warning of an increasingly “dangerous mismatch between strategic necessity and permitting reality.” The letter’s signatories include 21 retired 4-star admirals and generals, and the former CEOs of companies including Rio Tinto, Waste Management, Florida Power and Light, Amtrak, and others.
The bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of senators, would streamline federal environmental reviews, establish greater permitting predictability and transparency, improve coordination among federal agencies, and accelerate approvals for critical infrastructure. Addressing Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the letter states:
“Today, the United States faces an increasingly dangerous mismatch between strategic necessity and permitting reality. Projects that would strengthen energy security, increase grid reliability, expand domestic manufacturing capacity, develop critical mineral resources, and modernize transportation and industrial infrastructure often face years of regulatory review and litigation before construction can begin. These delays increase costs, discourage investment, weaken U.S. competitiveness, and leave the nation more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and geopolitical coercion.”
“If the United States cannot build the infrastructure required for economic growth and technological leadership, it will become increasingly dependent on foreign nations for the materials, energy, and manufacturing capabilities critical to our prosperity and security.”
This letter of support for the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act marks the third call to action by SAFE’s ESLC to congressional leadership this fall, following endorsements for the Connect Vehicle Security Act and several key provisions in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act.
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About SAFE
SAFE advances the economic and national security of the United States and its allies by developing and advocating for policies that reduce strategic vulnerabilities and strengthen capabilities across energy, critical resources, technology, and industrial production. Learn more at Secureenergy.org.
